IRVINE, Calif. (September 16, 2019) – In response to Governor Newsom’s announcement that he will veto SB 1, Western Growers President and CEO Tom Nassif issued the following statement:

“On behalf of thousands of family farmers and rural residents in the San Joaquin Valley, and across the state, who rely on sensible environmental policies for their livelihoods, we applaud Governor Newsom for pumping the brakes on a bill that would have undermined the collaborative progress his administration and water users are making toward enhanced river flows and water quality in the Delta. 

“Our farmers strive to be good stewards of the environment and our natural resources, and we support a balanced approach to water resiliency that relies on the best available science. There is a better path forward, and we anticipate the opportunity to work with both the Newsom administration and legislators to craft water policy that protects both the environment and the economic viability of our family farms for future generations.”