California eyes climate bond to prepare for disasters [Associated Press]
In a state burdened by billions of dollars in wildfire damage, California lawmakers are hoping for an advance loan before the next climate-fueled catastrophe hits. Lawmakers in the Democratic-dominated state Legislature return to work Monday for the second year of a two-year session. Their to-do list includes a $4.2 billion climate bond, an ambitious proposal to borrow money before they need it to prepare for the types of natural disasters that have plagued the state….The borrowing proposal is one of dozens of holdover bills from last year that are still alive in 2020 but must pass at least one legislative chamber by the end of January to have a chance at becoming law.
https://apnews.com/1723c6cb6b2a6d8fc7a5e003b5246b8a
Ventura County supervisors OK poll to gauge interest in climate change sales tax [Ventura County Star]
A poll of Ventura County voters will be conducted in coming weeks to gauge support for a sales tax increase to deal with climate change, control vegetation that can worsen the effect of wildfires and support agricultural and conservation causes….The consultant is being asked to determine the feasibility of passing a ballot measure calling for the countywide tax and the creation of a special district to administer the funding….Parks presented a large list of potential goals for the tax to the board, including the establishment of a land trust that would assist farmers, funding to add parks in low-income areas that lack parks and purchase of land to protect wildlife and habitat.
One of America’s oldest and largest milk producers files for bankruptcy [CNN Business]
Borden Dairy Co., one of America’s oldest and largest dairy companies, on Monday became the second major milk producer to file for bankruptcy in the last two months. Tumbling milk consumption combined with the rising price of milk have crippled the dairy industry with debt. Dean Foods, America’s largest milk producer, filed for bankruptcy November 12….Borden’s filing only says it plans stay in business during the bankruptcy process, and does not spell out whether it intends to stay in business longer term or liquidate.
https://www.cnn.com/2020/01/06/business/borden-dairy-bankruptcy/index.html
H-2A workers are an increasingly critical part of Napa’s agricultural workforce [Napa Valley Register]
California’s farmers have raised wages, adjusted their practices, turned to machine harvesting or attempted to work with outside labor contractors – all in the pursuit of finding reliable labor. They’ve also turned to the H-2A program, which in Napa County is supplying vineyard workers from Mexico….Mahoney, who along with her husband owns Mahoney Vineyards in Napa Valley’s Carneros region, began employing H-2A workers in 2002 – making her something like the third person in California to utilize the program, she said. “Some years I couldn’t get my paperwork through, because the process got harder and harder,” Mohoney said. “For the last four years, I’ve decided it’s getting beyond me, so I’ve hired a lawyer to help.”
Wine industry faces dramatic and ‘calamitous’ impact with Trump administration’s proposed tariffs [Los Angeles Times]
For wine sellers, importers and sommeliers, the holiday season is traditionally the busiest time — but this year, it came with a shot of uncertainty and existential dread. That’s thanks to a looming trade tariff of up to 100% that would affect all European Union countries selling wine to the United States, where imported wine is a $20-billion-a-year industry….If the tariffs are levied, American wine drinkers would be faced with fewer wines coming to America from the EU (especially those made by small, independent producers) and higher prices on the bottles that do make it in. A wide swath of wine businesses in the U.S. also would be negatively affected, including importers, distributors, wine shop owners, sommeliers and grocery story wine buyers.
https://www.latimes.com/food/story/2020-01-04/trump-wine-tariffs
Roundup ruled the farm, now its maker has a challenger [Wall Street Journal]
Before it was targeted by tens of thousands of plaintiffs in lawsuits, Roundup was the king of the field—the world’s most heavily used weedkiller. Now it’s mired in court over claims it caused cancer and viewed as a major liability for its parent company, Bayer AG BAYRY -0.64% . On top of that, some weeds have evolved to survive Roundup. That has left an opening for a new contender to cover for Roundup’s failings, kicking off a clash of agribusiness rivals as fierce as Pepsi’s showdown with Coca-Cola on store shelves. At stake are billions of dollars in herbicide and seed sales, and influence over how farmers manage crops for decades.
