We have major economic problems in the 19th district and I have a plan to deal with them. Here it is!
Vote Hernandez for Congress!
Economic Development
The current economic expansion is the longest in U.S. history. It has produced one of the lowest unemployment rates in history 4%. Here are the facts and figures of the 19th Congressional District. The current unemployment rate in the 19th Congressional District is 13%, three times as high as the national average! In a recent survey taken by a major investment bank Fresno ranked 123rd out of 125 cities that are good places to save and earn a living. Tulare and Fresno counties are ranked two and three in the state with the highest rate of children living in poverty! We must hold our elected officials responsible for their actions or in this case inaction. How are they going to improve the local economy? We have a population growing three times faster than our economy. What is their plan? Mr. Hernandez has a detailed plan on how to improve the economy of the 19th Congressional District.
The Republicans' "Contract with America" has delivered nothing to this district in fact it has hurt this district. The welfare reforms of the late 90's are a "ticking time bomb" for the 19th district because there simply are not enough jobs. Mr. Radanovich is on the budget committee and consistently attacks spending that will help his own district! We need leadership not "blind faith" in the status quo! It is an embarrassment when a major news network does a special on "Fresno - the city the economic boom by-passed!" A vote for Hernandez is a vote for progress!
1. Ironically one of the targets of the "Contract With America" the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) will play a key roll in turning around the 19th Congressional District. President Clinton has proposed the "New Markets Initiative." This program is designed with areas like ours in mind. It provides funds for economic development in high unemployment areas like ours. The City of Hartford has just received 6.7 million dollars. I will actively seek out these funds and put them to use here in the valley.
2. There is a critical need for infrastructure in the 19th district. We need to have an airport that can compete with other cities like Sacramento and Las Vegas. These are cities that are the same size as Fresno but are doing much better in this "new economy." The airport is one of the major reasons why. By expanding air service and modernizing runways we can turn this valley around. One reason why we do not have a great airport is because the Fresno City Council controls it. I propose additional federal funding for Fresno Yosemite International Airport be tied to the formation of an independent board that oversees the operation exclusively. The Fresno City Council is far to busy dealing with the day to day operation of the city to give the attention that this critical issue needs.
3. The formation of new enterprise zones in the 19th district is going to help us tremendously. This allows a company to build here in the valley and receive incentives. Other tools that must be used are Community Block Development Grants. These tools are designed to stimulate the inner city. They target areas of high unemployment just like ours. One major obstacle for progress is the general plan. That is why working with local leaders is so important to the overall success of the entire district. By coordinating with the local board of supervisors and the local city councils we can have areas of the city targeted and zoned properly before we approach potential companies. Business flows like water and it will take the path of least resistance every time. We must create this in our district without destroying the environment. It can and must be done.
4. The 19th district needs new markets for our products. The Asian Market is beginning to open up with the addition of China to the WTO (World Trade Organization). This will greatly help our farmers and increase demand and price for our produce. We must not stop there! If we ever want to have leverage with the Chinese we need to have an alternate market. India is that market. It is the largest democracy in the world with over one billion people. The emergence of it into the "nuclear club" is ample reason to forge a full-scale trade deal with them. This is the only market that could rival the Chinese and it must be developed. If we don't someone else will. Water is life of this valley. Raising Friant and Shasta Dams are going to supply the critical water that our farmers need and at the same time satisfy the needs of environmentalist.
5. Marketing the 19th district is the single most important thing I could do as your congressman. I will consistently "bang the drum" of the valley everywhere I go. It seems like our current congressman, George Radanovich is only concerned about his party and personal ambition. Companies need to know about the diverse work force and affordable housing we have in the valley. Right now we are one of the biggest secrets in the world. Currently we are at the mercy of "Mother Nature" and when she sneezes we catch a cold. If you talk to any financial planner they will tell you that the key to success is diversity in your portfolio. I will spearhead efforts to lure new companies to the valley. Our affordable housing and land prices are very attractive to new business if only they knew. We must come up with a way to advertise the "viability" of the valley. This will take "hands on" attention from their congressman and it is a challenge I look forward to.
6. Education is going to play the key role in the future of the 19th district. A fundamental question must be answered. What kind of work force do we want to have? A low skilled low wage workforce or a high skilled high wage work force? I believe the latter is the best for the valley. We must find a way to keep our college graduates from leaving. This effect is called the "brain drain" and it is robbing us of our best and our brightest. The establishment of UC Merced will play a role in this. We have to make sure that it produces the kind of work force we need by supporting it. Fresno State will be my top priority! As an alumnus Mr. Hernandez will pursue all avenues to make sure that it receives as much federal funding as possible. Please see the Educational Priorities of the Hernandez for Congress Campaign for additional information on this important subject.
7. New investment is only going to get us 20% of the way there. The final and most important thing we must do is built on the strengths of the 19th district. These are agriculture, tourism and diversity. The 19th district is the only one in the U.S. with three national parks. A transportation system must be established to streamline this traffic. The current one car at a time system is not viable for the future. Agriculture is our greatest export and it is a shame that those jobs have to be exported. We need to get those processing plants here. Currently there are plants in the Bay Area that are on their last legs. They are going to need new plants and we want to be there to welcome them to the valley. It makes tremendous sense to can your product where it is grown. Bio- technology is going to become the wave of the future and it is our most viable strength for the future. Our farmers are going to have to meet the challenge of feeding 12 billion people in the next hundred years and this is going to be the ultimate challenge. Advances in agriculture are going to happen and we need to make sure that they happen here. The final strength is diversity. Our valley speaks over 109 different languages. The 19th district could become a communications hub for the entire world. As technology continues to bring the world closer together communication becomes more and more important. Call centers will become more important in the future. Companies like Aetna USHealthcare and Bank of America have huge call centers and are expanding their operations in the valley. They find that it is very attractive because they can find the people to speak the rainbow of languages they need. We need to make sure that there is an environment of growth for this to happen.
Vote Hernandez for Congress
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