Cannon Michael: $11-million cotton-subsidy water whine

 Between 1995-2012, Bowles Farming Co. of Los Banos received $10.9 million in cotton subsidies.(1) But how much of a subsidy can you collect if you don’t have water to plant cotton? Our guess is that whether it’s called a “subsidy” or not, agribusiness and the federal government will figure out ways of getting at least a little something to its favorite “farmers,” like the Bowles family farm here. 
 
Of the top 20 recipients of commodity subsidies in the 15th Congressional District, Los Banos agribusinesses received $50.1 million for the 1995-2012 period. – blj

3-30-14
Merced Sun-Star
Cannon Michael: Water rally a positive step
http://www.mercedsunstar.com/2014/03/30/3576437/cannon-michael-water-ral...
 
It’s no secret that our water system is severely broken, but denying water rights and reallocating water is not the answer. And though our voices have been heard by the state Water Resources Control Board, continued action and pressure is still needed to ensure water deliveries to our Central Valley farmers.
 
Water is the Central Valley’s lifeblood. The state water board must understand that withholding water would cause catastrophic consequences, including fallowed farmland, skyrocketing unemployment and an increasingly unstable and costly food supply in our Central Valley, our state and beyond.
 
Eliminating our water deliveries is not only foolish, it’s dangerous.
 
This rally – and those who attended – caused state leaders to take immediate action. This is a positive first step, but in order to protect our water rights and water, we must remain united and stand together. Our Central Valley depends on it.
 
CANNON MICHAEL
 
PRESIDENT, BOWLES FARMING CO.
 
LOS BANOS
 
NOTES:
 
(1) Environmental Working Group Farm Subsidy DatabaseL Top recipients from CA 16th District.