Los Banos Rotary Club History
Senator Cobey Tells Of Legislative Work

Senator James Cobey, of Merced, Tuesday noon gave members of the Los Banos Rotary Club a brief review of California legislative matters at the last session, and pointed out some of the obstacles that lie ahead in securing for this area the long-needed San Luis Project.

Comparing the business of running the State of California to a private enterprise expending some $1 ½ billion a year, Cobey said the state senate and state assembly could well be termed the board of directors of such a company,--with the major difference that such directors would undoubtedly serve on a year-around full time basis, and would be paid on such basis.
In the legislature today, Cobey said it is a "20-ring circus, in which you are very fortunate indeed, to keep your eye on just three rings." The senate alone considers some 50 proposed legislative bills a day, rejecting most, approving some, postponing others. Senator Cobey himself introduced 28 bills, of which 14 were approved, with governor's veto of two. "It is impossible," Cobey said, "for the legislature to do a thorough job on the present part-time schedule."
The Senator explained, however, that his thinking is based on his personal experiences in his first legislative session, and said it is possible that further experience might change his mind.

Of the total state budget, Senator Cobey explained that most of the money (85 cents of every $1.00) goes into just three funds. The greatest expenditure is for public schools, and California has the best in the nation. Second largest item is for the state highways and roads—also declared the best in the nation; and the third is for the various welfare and relief agencies, likewise declared the most generous and provident in the nation.

Flood Control

Of a more local nature, the Senator told of his work in securing the new San Joaquin River Flood Control Act, which he is hopeful will be in actual operation within the next five or six years. He declared the new plan, to cost approximately $6 million, is almost $10 million less expensive than the original plan approved by the U.S. Engineers in 1940, under which lands along the river would be considered as flood basins in times of excess river flow. The gradual development of agricultural lands near the river to full crop land use had increased the valuation of such lands to a point to make the old project prohibitive.

San Luis Project

Senator Cobey said state approval of the San Luis Project bogged down solely because the valley could not get enough votes to put it over against the opposition of southern California interest, and also of Kern County, which would have received no benefits from San Luis as it is now planned. By contrast, the state plan for the Feather River Project would provide a supplemental water supply for Kern county, and also for parts of southern California.

Reminding his listeners that water has always been all-important to southern California and that they are about 50 years ahead of the rest of the state in their water thinking, Cobey warned that some agreement must be reached within the state before San Luis can be accomplished. He also admonished that at Washington D.C. level southern California must change its attitude somewhat toward other reclamation projects in the western states, particularly along the Colorado River, before California can expect sufficient support from other U. S. congressmen to secure approval of federal funds for such project.
The first hurdle, however, Cobey insisted, is for all of California to come to agreement on a state water plan that is equitable for all, and in which both state and federal aid can be enlisted as becomes necessary and expedient.
Referring back to his own work in the legislature, Senator Cobey emphasized the need for the people in this district to let him know local thinking relative to various legislative matters as they come up; and particularly for persons interested in government to take an active part in civic and business organizations, and see that representatives of such groups reflect their thinking and wishes in matters of a personal interest. Without such expression of thought, Senator Cobey pointed out, it is humanly impossible for any legislator to know or accurately guess just what the people of this area really want or don't want in the form of laws or regulations.

The senator paid high compliment to Assemblyman George Clarke, stating that he had worked arduously and had been very influential in matters of local and valley interest. He also spoke highly of Governor Goodwin Knight in his executive leadership, stating he had done an exceptional job of guidance, particularly in effecting compromise agreements between labor and management.

The Senator was introduced by his personal friend, Judge D. Oliver Germino, who expressed on behalf of this community an appreciation of the Freshman Senator's vey capable representation, and extended personal congratulations for the very capable manner in which the Senator is filling the post so long occupied by the late Senator George Hatfield.

September 6, 1955

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