JANUARY | FEBRUARY 2017
Almond Facts
41
Californians Cast Their Vote
“If you just voted in this election, congratulations,” said Erin
Niemela, partner at Niemela Pappas and Associates. “Not
only was it the right thing to do, it was the long thing to
do.” San Joaquin County reported that it took a single voter
an average of 40 minutes to get through the ballot, which
included 17 statewide ballot propositions.
According to Niemela, California is notoriously independent
and votes when it really counts. The state is unique. It is
home to 12 percent of the nation’s population and is the
6
th
largest economy in the world. These factors allow for
California to operate differently than most of the rest of the
nation when it comes to political and policy issues.
In California, this Presidential election saw a surge in
participation from Democrats and Independents. The
outcome resulted in the State Assembly claiming a
Democratic supermajority and the Senate falling one vote
short of that supermajority. “Thanks to the open primary
system, the partisan caucuses are more ideologically diverse
than they have ever been,” said Niemela.
California voters also decided in favor of 11 of the 17
statewide ballot propositions. Niemela highlighted the defeat
of Proposition 53, an initiative intended to impact high
profile and controversial state infrastructure projects, and
the passage of Proposition 64 legalizing marijuana. “The
advocates for that initiative [Proposition 64] argued, in part,
that they should be treated as ‘any other farm’ in this state.”
Issues of Interest
The seminar also provided the audience a chance to engage
in the conversation. Joining Heron and Niemela for a panel
discussion were Paul Wenger, President of the California
Farm Bureau Federation, and Emily Rooney, President of the
Agricultural Council of California. Issues ranging from the
Farm Bill, outlook for TPP and breaking up union control
of ports were of interest to the audience. Wenger encouraged
people to get involved. “It is critical,” said Wenger. “If we
don’t stand up and fight back, we are going to lose.”
Advocacy is Crucial!
You can still raise your voice to your congressional leaders.
Anything is possible! Register your email with
Blue Diamond
membership and stay informed of important advocacy
issues. It’s the convenient and easy way to get engaged!
Contact Mel Machado at mmachado@bdgrowers or your
field supervisor for more information.
