Working for the Valley

Co-authored: CongressmanRichard Pombo (CA-11), Congressman George Radanovich (CA-19), CongressmanDennis Cardoza (CA-18), Congressman Devin Nunes (CA-21) and Congressman JimCosta (CA-20)

We've heard our relationship referred to as "extraordinary"and "unusual." Well, we believe itis. We are Members of Congress from the Central Valley and we work together on more issues thannot. Is this typical for Republicans andDemocrats? Unfortunately, no. Typicalfor a few guys from the Central Valley? The answer - yes.

We realize it's rare to see any true bi-partisan work beingaccomplished lately in Washington. Unfortunately, the majority of Congress'efforts are being consumed in political battles instead of focusing on genuineproblems. As the people we representunderstand, we have a long, strong record of working together for the Valley onissues important to all of us who live here.

As you know too well, California'seconomy has been buffeted by many challenges over the years. Increased traffic and congestion coupled withhigh gas prices are almost too much for our residents to take. With gas and oil prices constantly on therise, most agree on the need to have a national energy and transportation planthat will help with the cost of fuel, shave time off commutes and help rebuildthe economy.

In Congress, we've worked together and passed the Transportation Equity Act: A Legacy forUsers(TEA-LU) containing funding for projects running throughour districts. Traffic jams we face daily have become nightmares. They representtime stolen from watching our kids' soccer games, having dinner with ourfamilies or any number of other activities that are more important than waitingin traffic.

Anything we as legislators can do to alleviate trafficcongestion will build the quality of life for residents and commuters justpassing through the area. This effort deserves more than just arepresentative looking out for the people in his or her jurisdiction. Just as traffic moves from one district to another - we realize this iseveryone's problem, and we should all be committed to the solution.

Years ago, our Nation's leaders had the foresight toconstruct massive dams and reservoirs to provide water supplies to a thirstywestern United Sates. But as times have changed, our nation's infrastructurehas not kept pace. Here in California,no federal water storage projects have been built in a generation--while thepopulation has increased by nearly 15 million. In the Central Valley alone, there are1,600 miles of levees, various water storage areas and reservoirs that can beused in times of flooding. UnfortunatelyCalifornia'sflood protection system is an aging infrastructure with major designdeficiencies and it has been weakened by deferred maintenance and lack offunds.

Although states and localities are trying to meet these needs through variousmeans, the federal government can help by encouraging water technologies,maintain in current projects and building more storage. Wehave taken steps forward in funding through several bills within Congress, suchas the recently passed CALFED. We willcontinue to look for avenues to help with funding for levees and overall waterquality. Many repairs and maintenanceprojects require millions of dollars to be spent on environmental reviews, andmitigation for environmental impacts and delay these much needed repairs. We will continue to work through a processthat would streamline such requests which would allow protection to be providedin a much more efficient fashion.

Another important issue we are working on is High Risk PestDetection, makingsure we are meeting the needs of many farmers and ranchers in the Valley. Family farms produce the safest, mostaffordable food supply in the world and the need to protect goods greater thanever. With the increasing movement of people and commerce, ourenvironment and food supply is at serious risk from the accidental orintentional introduction of exotic and invasive species. We are workingtogether on pest prevention to provide the greatest level of protection againstplant and animal pests and diseases that can adversely impact human health,commerce, and the Nation's precious natural resources.

We are sure some in Congress and elsewhere dislike watchingRepublicans and Democrats work together on common goals, or don't believe it'sactually possible. After all, Washingtonis famous for its examples of partisan politics. However, we Members from the Valley prideourselves on our long history of working together to make a difference in thelives of people we represent. Of course,we don't agree on everything, but we don't let that get in our way. At the end of the day, we still think we'vegot something pretty special.