CA Governor Requests Federal Disaster Declaration

Issues Executive Order to Provide Assistance

06/19/2009 -- Showing that government still works for the people, California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger today requested a federal disaster declaration from President Obama for Fresno County and issued Executive Order S-11-09, activating the California Disaster Assistance Act.

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By taking this action, the state will be able to provide temporary supplemental assistance to the local governments and non-profit organizations that supply food and other aid to those who are impacted by the drought statewide. The order also waives the one-week waiting period for unemployment insurance.

“California’s Central Valley is our nation’s agricultural engine and unemployment here is devastating the economy and hurting the people of California,” said Governor Schwarzenegger. “These are dire circumstances - no water means no work - and no work means people cannot feed their families. This drought is truly an emergency, and the actions we are taking today show how government can still work for the people when they need it most.

“We urgently need a clean, reliable water supply, and I am committed to getting comprehensive water reform done once and for all. We must invest in our future, protect our precious resources and protect the state of California.”

In February, Gov. Schwarzenegger declared a state of emergency due to drought conditions statewide and ordered immediate action to manage the crisis. In the proclamation, the Governor exerted his executive authority to direct all state government agencies to utilize their resources, implement a state emergency plan and provide assistance for people, communities and businesses impacted by the drought. Today’s executive order builds on the earlier proclamation and allows for additional assistance.

Text of executive order:

EXECUTIVE ORDER S-11-09

BY THE GOVERNOR OF THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA

WHEREAS on June 4, 2008, I issued an Executive Order proclaiming a statewide drought, and I ordered my administration to take immediate action to address the water shortage; and

WHEREAS on June 12, 2008, I proclaimed a state of emergency for nine Central Valley counties because the drought had caused conditions of extreme peril to the safety of persons and property; and

WHEREAS on February 27, 2009, I proclaimed a state of emergency for the entire state as the severe drought conditions continued and the impacts were well beyond the Central Valley; and

WHEREAS the February 27, 2009 state of emergency proclamation provided specific orders and directions to my Department of Water Resources, State Water Resources Control Board, Department of General Services, Department of Public Health, California Department of Food and Agriculture, and Labor and Workforce Development Agency to reduce and mitigate the human, environmental, and economic impact of the drought; and

WHEREAS I have supported state and local water managers’ efforts to increase the availability of water, directed efforts to better integrate regional water management practices to balance water demand with water supply, directed expedited water transfers, ordered increased job training, and substantially increased statewide water conservation; and

WHEREAS I have requested and we have received United States Department of Agriculture disaster designations for 21 counties for drought; and

WHEREAS the drought conditions have exacerbated unemployment and the local emergency food banks are struggling to meet the demands of hungry families.

NOW, THEREFORE, I, ARNOLD SCHWARZENEGGER, Governor of the State of California, in accordance with the authority vested in me by the state Constitution and statutes, activate the California Disaster Assistance Act to provide temporary supplemental assistance to the local governments and non-profit organizations that provide food and other aid to those who are impacted by the drought statewide.

IT IS HEREBY ORDERED that my California Emergency Management Agency, Department of Social Services, Labor and Workforce Development Agency, and California Department of Food and Agricultural develop a comprehensive strategy by July 15, 2009, to provide adequate nutrition for those individuals who are temporarily unable to afford food as a result of the drought conditions.

IT IS FURTHER ORDERED THAT the provisions of California Unemployment Insurance Code section 1253 imposing a one-week waiting period for unemployment insurance applicants are suspended as to all applicants who are unemployed as a specific result of the drought conditions, who apply for unemployment insurance benefits during the time period beginning June 19, 2009, and ending on the close of business on November 1, 2009, and who are otherwise eligible for unemployment insurance benefits in California.

I FURTHER DIRECT that as soon as hereafter possible, this Order be filed in the Office of the Secretary of State and that widespread publicity and notice be given this Order.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF I have hereunto set my hand and caused the Great Seal of the State of California to be affixed this 19th Day

of June 2009.

______________________________

ARNOLD SCHWARZENEGGER

Governor of California

Source: California Governor