A bill that would bring useful changes to the governing board of the San Joaquin Valley Air Pollution Control District has passed the Legislature and now awaits the governor's signature. Our editorial this morning urges the governor to sign it.
This is the latest of several efforts to expand the board's membership by adding medical and scientific experts, as well as permanent seats for the Valley's largest cities. Ag and business interests have opposed such efforts, but this time the measure -- SB 719, by Sen. Mike Machado, D-Linden -- squeaked out of the state Assembly by the barest of margins.
Gov. Schwarzenegger signaled his unhappiness with the pace of the campaign to cleanse the Valley's filthy air earlier this year, when he fired the head of the California Air Resources Board after CARB approved the local district's plan to delay cleanup until 2024.
The Valley air district board is currently dominated by county supervisors, who hold eight of the 11 seats. The new law would add two appointees of the governor's; one a scientist with expertise in air pollution and the other a medical expert who has experience with the impacts of air pollution on health. In addition, the Valley's largest cites -- those with 100,00 or more in population -- would have two representatives. Currently the three seats not in the hands of county supervisors are rotated among all the Valley's cities, large and small.
We think these are a long-overdue changes, and we hope the governor will agree. And soon.
Sign that bill arnold! Nice piece russ
Also, I would love to hear your thoughts on bubba--I was surprised to see the opinion section downgrade the importance of his absence downtown. To me, how often you show up for work and your value as a public official are essentially one in the same. I agree that the proof is in his actual productivity, but his absence seems as much a part of his public officialhood as his presence ever has been. Autry's arrogant explanations on the front page the other day made me sick. I'd love to hear what you think
Russ, two thoughts.First what is a scientific expert?Would their opinion on something as contoversial as Global Warming skew their efforts on the board.Second, would the recent fire that filled the Valley with smoke lend credence that some of the reasons given for the bad Valley air by the board are hogwash. Haley, if your a gal with any character you'll go to the Starbucks(The Bee says he's there all the time you know)and talk to him yourself. Who cares what anyone else thinks.Also, he should be called the Mayor or Mr. Autry.Show some respect.He earned it.