How Business Views the Election
Name: Fred Lo Bue
Company: Lo Bue Bros. Inc., Lindsay, Calif.
Position: Secretary/Treasurer
Registration: Republican
Q. Who are you going to vote for?
A. George Bush
Q. Why?
A. I think he is more supportive of agriculture. He made it clear he will veto any water bills that are not supported by Central California agriculture. That is important to us. Our underground water supply is being overdrafted. And he has been supportive of agriculture in the free trade arena. We export so much of our crop in Central California, it’s important that free markets be maintained. And a third reason, the continuing assault on medium and small business by government regulation.
Q. What are the main issues for your business?
A. One is water. (Another) is the continued assurance of developing safe chemicals so we can continue to farm and grow food in ample quantities, maintain our high productivity and continue to increase the value of the products we ship to market and the quality of our fruits and vegetables. The chemicals and a continuous and regular supply of water are the two primary things farmers are going to need to stay in business.
Q. What needs to be done to right the economy?
A. Allow the Central Valley Project to continue to issue 40-year contracts to farmers, assuring them of the steady supply of water available from the federal project. To develop the infrastructure it takes to farm and not be ensured of water, it discourages investment, it discourages growth, and it discourages output. Secondly, the EPA needs to develop new procedures for approving new chemicals. We also need laws and procedures to encourage development of new chemical tools to fight the diseases and pests that come along. New scientific research will need to be done to control this, with more stringent laws controlling our ports of entry. We just don’t do nearly what other countries do when it comes to protecting our agricultural interest.
