Area’s lawmakers send letter asking conference panel to restore money.

By E.J. Schultz / The Fresno Bee

A legislative conference committee that’s putting the finishing touches on the state budget has cut all funding for a San Joaquin Valley economic task force.

The 6-0 vote came Wednesday, prompting eight Valley lawmakers to send a letter asking committee leaders to restore the funding.

When asked Thursday whether that was possible, Assembly Member John Laird, D-Santa Cruz, a budget conference committee member, said: “I don’t know. The chair [Sen. Wesley Chesbro, D-Arcata] said that he didn’t want to reopen any issues. So we’ll just have to take a look and see.”

Assembly Member Juan Arambula, D-Fresno, said he spoke Wednesday night with Speaker Fabián Núñez, D-Los Angeles, about the item.

“I believe that he will follow up and correct what was done,” Arambula said.

Gov. Schwarzenegger created the California Partnership for the San Joaquin Valley last June to improve the economy and living conditions of the region.

To date, the 26-member group has had no state money.

Schwarzenegger’s $131 billion revised budget proposal, released last month, included $5 million for the partnership: half for a competitive grant program and half for operating costs.

The fiscal year begins July 1.

If no money is provided, it would result in a “huge loss of momentum,” said Pete Weber, co-chairman of the Regional Jobs Initiative. The RJI lobbied to create the partnership as a way to solve the region’s long-time economic woes.

The conference committee is responsible for resolving differences between the two chambers. The Senate proposed $1.25 million for the partnership; the Assembly version had the full $5 million.

The conference committee’s move conformed with the recommendation of the Legislative Analyst’s Office. The nonpartisan office expressed concerns that the proposal lacked details.

The Department of Finance, the governor’s voice in budget talks, recommended keeping the full $5 million, said department spokesman H.D. Palmer.

Ashley Swearengin, chief operating officer of the RJI, said, “I don’t think [the cut] was a calculated [move]. I think it was just another example of the work of the San Joaquin Valley not being that high on the radar screen in Sacramento.”

The partnership is in effect until Nov. 1. At that time, members will submit a plan on how to improve the economy of the eight-county region, which runs from San Joaquin County south to Kern County.

A separate group will be created to oversee the plan, Weber said.

The plan is expected to include 10 to 20 major recommendations. One proposal, for example, would establish a “clean energy office” to help Valley communities get a greater share of public benefit proceeds from fees on utility bills, Weber said.

At present, the Valley only gets 74 cents in return for each dollar collected in the region, Weber said, because many of the Valley’s small towns aren’t equipped to put together energy proposals.

The budget requires two-thirds approval by the Assembly and Senate. Schwarzenegger has the power to cut or reduce items but cannot add items. A budget deal must be cut by June 15, but lawmakers often miss the deadline.

The reporter can be reached at eschultz@fresnobee.com or (916) 326-5541.