CLFP held its fourth annual Capitol Day on June 20, 2012. The day was very successful and CLFP member companies had the opportunity to meet and converse with Legislators and legislative policy staff. This event gives member companies an opportunity to build relationships and educate policy-makers about the issues impacting the food processing industry.
The day began with a group meeting at the Capitol with guest speakers from the Senate Pro Tempore Office, the Assembly Speaker’s Office, the Governor’s Office and the Senate Republican Leader. CLFP members then met with their Assembly and Senate representatives in the afternoon.
During their meetings, CLFP members voiced their concerns about the allocation of AB 32 Cap-and-Trade funds. They argued that CLFP does not believe that AB 32 was intended to be a revenue source and the decision to move forward with a billion dollar auction will have devastating impacts on the state’s economy. Raising ‘upward of $3 billion’ in 2012-2013 alone, as estimated by the Legislative Analyst for purposes of funding various state programs, runs contrary to the requirements expressly stated in AB 32, which is that of maximizing benefits and minimizing leakage risks and costs.
In addition, CLFP members made the case for the need to enact meaningful regulatory reform. They relayed the message to policy-makers that CLFP supports "smart regulations" that are necessary, cost-effective, fairly enforced and regularly updated to reflect changing conditions and needs.
And, finally, CLFP members relayed their support for enacting legislation that would create due process reform at the State and regional water quality boards. The State and regional water quality control boards have placed prohibitions on ex parte communications between members of the boards and the regulated community in connection with permit proceedings. CLFP members argued that the inability to communicate directly with board members undermines transparency, accountability and meaningful stakeholder involvement.
The processor member companies that participated in CLFP’s Capitol Day included: Pacific Coast Producers, The Morning Star Packing Company, Campbell Soup Supply Company, SupHerb Farms, Del Monte Foods, Rio Farms, Gills Onions, Kraft Foods, Ingomar Packing Company, and Stanislaus Food Products. CLFP affiliate members who participated included: FIBR (Food Industry Business Roundtable), Downey Brand LLP, and Advanced Microbial Solutions. CLFP looks forward to increasing participation in this event in the future.
California League Of Food Producers