Set in motion in June 2005 by an executive order from Governor Schwarzenegger, the California Partnership for the San Joaquin Valley is an unprecedented public-private partnership sharply focused on improving the region’s economic vitality and quality of life for the 3.9 million residents who call the San Joaquin Valley home
With Executive Order S-05-05, Governor Schwarzenegger addressed the unique challenges facing the Valley as well as the region’s importance to California, and he founded the Partnership. While the Valley is one of the most productive agricultural regions in the world, the economic well-being of its residents lags well behind state and national averages. The Valley also is affected by poor air quality that has repeatedly failed to meet EPA standards. Despite these challenges, the Valley received substantially less per capita funding than the averages for California and the United States.
For too long, state and federal leaders had neglected the Valley. The creation of the Partnership was designed to address the region’s challenges while establishing a solid framework for the future.
As part of Executive Order S-05-05, Governor Schwarzenegger requested from the new Partnership a Strategic Action Proposal (SAP) that provided recommendations to improve the economic conditions of the Valley. In October 2006, the group delivered its recommendations in the document: “The San Joaquin Valley, California’s 21st Century Opportunity.”
The SAP developed three overarching goals for the Valley: to develop a prosperous economy, create a quality environment, and to achieve social equity.
In support of these goals, the Partnership developed 10 work groups made up of stakeholders from public and private sectors. The purpose of these groups was to support the Partnership’s mission by creating and fostering a culture of leadership, action, and accountability. More specifically, the work groups were tasked with the following six initiatives:
Build a 21st Century Transportation Mobility System
Grow a Diversified, Globally Competitive Economy Supported by a Highly Skilled Workforce
Create a Model K-12 Public Education System
Develop High-Quality Health and Human Services
Attain Clean Air Standards
Implement an Integrated Framework for Sustainable Growth
In November 2006, Governor Schwarzenegger renewed the Partnership and implemented the SAP with Executive Order (S-22-06). The Governor, along with the Legislature, provided $5 million to begin this unprecedented regional effort.
After two years, the Partnership had made significant progress toward its goals (see Accomplishments, Section 3). As a result, in December 2008, the Governor extended the Partnership indefinitely through Executive Order (S-17-08), an extension of the terms set forth in Executive Order (S-22-06).
