12/23/2008 GAAS:846:08 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Print Version |
Gov. Schwarzenegger Issues Executive Order Renewing the San Joaquin Valley Partnership
Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger today issued an executive
order renewing the San Joaquin Valley Partnership for three years. Created to
improve the economic well-being of the Valley and the quality of life of its
residents, the partnership was set to expire on December 31,
2008.
Full text of
executive order:
EXECUTIVE ORDER S-17-08
WHEREAS the San Joaquin Valley is remarkably rich and diverse in its
people, agriculture, industry, and natural wonders. Within the expanses
of the Valley is located a region rich in resources and important to
California’s heritage, economy, environment, and identity. It is one of
the most productive agricultural regions in the world - home to farmlands that
feed the nation and the world. It encompasses three world-class national
parks that preserve the natural beauty of the Valley and the mountains that
bound it. The San Joaquin Valley is intersected by a transportation
corridor that is critical to the state’s interstate commerce. Its systems
of rivers capture the watershed of the Sierra Nevada and flow to the
Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta. Its people are hardworking and
representative of many cultures, races, and nationalities; and
WHEREAS despite all these many assets, the San Joaquin Valley faces many
unique challenges as it works for a prosperous and healthy future.
Compared to the rest of our great state, this eight-county region, which is
home to 3.9 million people, lags behind in several important quality of life
measures. The per capita income for Valley residents is one-third lower
than for the average Californian. Young adults attend college at one-half
of the average rate. Access to healthcare is nearly one-third lower for
the Valley’s citizens than other Californians. The region is also put at
risk with its air quality which is among the lowest in the nation; and
WHEREAS the California
Partnership for the San Joaquin Valley (“Partnership”) was created by
Executive Order S-05-05 to focus attention on one of the most vital, yet challenged,
regions of the state, and to recommend changes that would improve the economic
well-being of the Valley and the quality of life of its residents. The
Partnership has crafted a Strategic Action Proposal that will achieve those
goals; and
WHEREAS the Partnership has developed a vision to build a cohesive
community supported by a vibrant economy built on competitive strengths and
sufficient resources to provide a high quality of life for all Valley residents
in order to achieve the “3Es” of sustainable growth—a Prosperous Economy,
Quality Environment, and Social Equity; and
WHEREAS the Partnership has already produced many valuable
accomplishments and identified six initiatives to achieve its vision. The
Legislature has recognized the accomplishments and promise of the Partnership
by appropriating $5 million in 2006-2007 for the implementation of the
Strategic Action Proposal; and
WHEREAS pursuant to Executive Order S-22-06, I extended the Partnership
through December 31, 2008, indicating that it could be further extended by
another executive order; and
WHEREAS I have determined that a further extension of the Partnership is
appropriate and desirable to further the mission and goals of the Partnership
as its work focuses action around ten critical work groups: economic
development; energy; transportation; air quality; health and human services;
higher education and workforce development; PreK-12 education; land use,
agriculture and housing; advanced communications services; and water quality
and water supply.
NOW, THEREFORE, I ARNOLD SCHWARZENEGGER, Governor of the State of
California, by virtue of the power and authority vested in me by the
Constitution and laws of the State of California, do hereby issue this
Executive Order to become effective immediately:
1. The Partnership is
extended on the terms set forth in my prior Executive Order S-22-06.
2. This Order does not alter
the existing authorities or roles of the executive branch departments,
agencies, or offices. Nothing in this Order shall supersede any
requirement made by or under law. This Order is not intended to, and does
not, create any rights or benefits, substantive or procedural, enforceable at
law or in equity, against the State of California, its agencies, departments,
entities, officers, employees, or any other person.
I FURTHER DIRECT that as soon as hereafter possible, this Order shall be
filed with the Office of the Secretary of State and that widespread publicity
and notice be given to this Order.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF I have
hereunto set my hand and caused the Great Seal of the State of California to be
affixed this 23rd day of December 2008.
Arnold Schwarzenegger
Governor of
California
ATTEST:
DEBRA BOWEN
Secretary of State
