- Matt Hamlett
(Sacramento, CA) — Earlier this week, Governor Gavin Newsom signed legislation reflecting an early action budget agreement. In addition to taking a major step forward in addressing the state’s budget short fall, this action provided $22.1 million to address fruit fly infestations across the state. On March 8th , Reyes and a bipartisan group of legislative colleagues submitted a letter highlighting the emergency need for this funding locally.
“I applaud Speaker Rivas, Pro Tem McGuire, and Governor Newsom for taking early action to address our fiscal challenges while still understanding the emergency we are experiencing locally to our agricultural economy. I want to thank my colleagues, the agriculture industry, and other stakeholders for making clear that this funding was a priority. I look forward to working with members of the Inland Empire Caucus to continue to address this critical issue.”
“We are deeply appreciative to Governor Newsom and our legislative leaders for allocating $22.1 million to combat the severe pest outbreak endangering California’s citrus industry. This essential funding is pivotal in addressing the unprecedented fruit fly infestations that threaten our communities, homeowners, and agricultural livelihoods” said Casey Creamer, President of California Citrus Mutual. “With ongoing collaboration, we are confident in our collective ability to eradicate this pest and to implement the robust prevention strategies outlined in Assembly Majority Leader Emerita's bill, AB 2827. Together, we are committed to preserving the future of our citrus heritage, ensuring the prosperity of our growers, and protecting the health of our communities.”
The California Department of Food and Agriculture will facilitate the $22.1 million appropriated through early budget action for the purpose of responding to infestation of exotic fruit flies across California. Locally, in San Bernardino and Riverside County alone, over 554 square miles have been quarantined due to impact of the exotic fruit fly. In addition to this effort, Assemblymember Reyes has authored AB 2827, which requires the state to detect and eradicate invasive species that negatively affect agriculture here in California.
Assemblymember Eloise Gómez Reyes, the Majority Emerita Leader of the California State Assembly, is available for interviews in Spanish and English. She represents Assembly District 50, which includes all or parts of the cities of Colton, Fontana, Loma Linda, Ontario, Rancho Cucamonga, Redlands, Rialto and San Bernardino, as well as unincorporated Bloomington.