Restoring the Williamson Act Subventions -- Action Needed!
A coalition of county advocates, the agricultural community, environmental interests, and resource landowners is pursuing support for the restoration of the Williamson Act subventions in the 2010-11 State Budget. The coalition has met and continues to meet with members of the Governor’s cabinet to ensure that the budget released in January includes, at the very least, the $27.8 million that the Governor vetoed in the 2009-10 Budget.
The coalition is also moving forward with an aggressive grassroots campaign requesting that local constituencies place pressure on state leaders by emphasizing the significance of the Williamson Act program to the environment and the economic recovery of the state. CSAC and the Regional Council of Rural Counties (RCRC) have drafted a sample letter to the Governor for counties to use in communicating their support for the program. The timing is crucial as various state agencies are in the process of drafting the proposed budget. Counties are encouraged to customize this letter to fit their own circumstances. Please make sure to send a copy of your letters to CSAC and RCRC.
Also, counties should be aware of Madera County’s actions to engage local residents in this statewide effort to restore funding of the program. Madera County has placed on its Web site an open letter to its residents, and a form letter that residents can print, sign, and mail to the Governor urging him to reinstate the Williamson Act subvention funding. The letters may be viewed here. Other counties are encouraged to take similar steps.
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