Our View: Valley caucus has its work cut out for it

Last year, our representatives in Sacramento provided a model for how all legislators should conduct the people’s business.

Instead of partisan carping, incessant bickering or vengeful backbiting, the so-called “Valley caucus” got along and – most importantly – got things done.

As the new legislative session begins, they appear to be picking up where they left off. We hope it lasts. Because if the five legislators who represent our area continue to present a unified front on our most important issues, great things could result.

Consider reforming how lawsuits under the Americans with Disabilities Act are settled in California. Currently, unscrupulous lawyers can send out professional “victims” to legally shake down business owners. They travel from town to town finding tiny violations of the ever-changing law, then the lawyers file lawsuits. In California, those “victims” – and their lawyers – pocket the money paid to settle the claims. Many businesses in our area were hit with a flurry of such lawsuits last year; some were forced to close.

Assemblymembers Kristin Olsen of Riverbank and Adam Gray of Merced made fixing the process their highest priority, writing companion bills to give business owners time to fix violations and to reduce the amount paid if those violations are fixed. Olsen is the Assembly’s top Republican; Gray is a Democrat. But they’re clearly working arm in arm. Last week, Sen. Cathleen Galgiani, a Democrat who represents parts of San Joaquin and Stanislaus counties, offered SB 67, which requires actual “harm” (in the legal sense) before payment is required. It’s clear all three are working together.

Their cooperation will be needed this year. The state passed both a $7.5 billion water bond and landmark groundwater legislation last year; now the work of figuring out what projects to prioritize and how to implement the rules begins. Gray’s presence on the Water Committee is crucial. But so are the legislative agriculture committees. Galgiani chairs the Senate Agriculture Committee and Sen. Anthony Cannella is the vice chair. If the parties had let us make the assignments, we couldn’t have done better.

“This year my main focus is the water bonds,” said Cannella. “We’ve got immediate needs like clean drinking water, groundwater cleanup, groundwater storage.” Priorities we share.

We’re even more optimistic because it appears (and, yes, appearances can be deceiving) that all our legislators are willing to work with our tight-fisted governor. Following release of the governor’s budget plan, Cannella’s statement called it “promising.” Olsen’s statement said: “I was pleased …” Berryhill had already offered the governor “congratulations and best wishes” in kicking off his fourth term the week before.

They won’t agree on everything. The issues of high-speed and commuter rail will probably engender disagreement.

“When those things pop up, we can disagree without being disagreeable,” said Cannella. “We can have a heated dialogue, but it’s a friendly dialogue.”

But in many areas – such as facing down the state if it demands more water from our rivers – their unanimity will be needed and will remain.

Last year, our legislators coalesced into what they now call the “Valley caucus.” It was effective, providing results both Democrats and Republicans can applaud. It’s how the process should work and, we hope, keeps working.

This story was originally published January 13, 2015 at 5:33 PM with the headline "Our View: Valley caucus has its work cut out for it."