In the News

"We have got to be able to have the Secretary of Agriculture to have some funds available there," Scott said, noting WHIP-Plus is still paying for disasters going back to 2019. "Our appropriations process sometimes takes two years. Many of our farmers haven't gotten the aid yet."

U.S. Rep. Jim Costa is working to secure nearly $15 million for central San Joaquin Valley projects, with almost $7 million potentially going to Merced County.

Congressman Jim Costa's (D–Fresno) push to have a public medical school open in the Central Valley picked up momentum Monday with a key endorsement.

Costa announced that the Congressional Hispanic Caucus fully endorsed his bill, the Expanding Medical Education Act, which would provide $1 billion for medical school construction, expansion and training in underserved communities.

"Access to quality healthcare for underserved communities where there is an acute shortage of doctors needs immediate attention," Costa said in a statement.

For the first time in more than a decade, Merced College will have a new building.

Construction of the new 29,000-square-foot Raj Kahlon Agriculture and Industrial Technology Complex kicked off Wednesday morning with a formal groundbreaking ceremony.

The complex will serve as the main building for agricultural-related instruction at the college.

There are a number of factors to consider when declaring a state of emergency. After a dry water year, little to zero water allocations, Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack declaring drought conditions in counties up and down the state and even the entire republican delegation sending letters Governor Gavin Newsom, Congressman Jim Costa said declaring drought can be tricky.

"Certainly the governor has the ability to declare a drought status but its tricky to understand the state and federal water projects, how they operate." Costa said.

Federal relief of $100 million is coming to Fresno, Madera and Merced health facilities to expand COVID-19 vaccinations and treatment, Rep. Jim Costa said on Friday.

The Fresno-area Democrat said health centers can use the funding to expand COVID-19 vaccinations, testing and treatment for vulnerable populations, as well as deliver preventive and primary health care services to people at higher risk for COVID-19.

FRESNO COUNTY, Calif (KSEE).- On Thursday the U.S. House passed two major immigration bills: one bill would grant permanent resident status to migrant farm workers, the other major bill, the American Dream and Promise Act of 2021, would provide permanent resident status and a path to citizenship for those brought to the U.S. as children, and who are temporarily protected under the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals or DACA. Central Valley congressman Jim Costa has been a proponent of this bill with Democratic House leadership.

The year 2020 was unlike any in our lifetime. The COVID-19 pandemic challenged us in ways we never thought possible. Paired with the prospect of another drought, this year looks to be just as challenging for our ag communities. As a ranking member of the House Agriculture Committee, I remain committed to ensuring they have the resources needed to weather this once in a lifetime crisis: A skilled workforce and reliable water supply.