After national outbreaks of E.
coli tied to the California spinach and lettuce industry, one might
assume that California’s Fitness Guru-in-chief would be working hard to
clean up the vegetable industry and protect the Popeye in all of us.
But, as the LA Times reports, Arnold is resisting legislation that would ensure more oversight of growers of the leafy greens.
The gov says the agricultural industry should monitor itself, without
government looking over its shoulders. This despite the fact that more
than 350 people got sick from California greens during the outbreaks
last fall.
So why does Arnold want to leave the leaf growers alone? It’s the
green, of course. Agricultural interests, who are concerned that
cleaning up their act might eat into their profits, have given the gov
more than $3.7 million in campaign contributions. One agricultural
industry donor, A.G. Kawamura, doubles as the Governor’s Food and
Agriculture Secretary. So, next time you hear about an E. coli
outbreak, take comfort in the fact that at least Governor Green Giant
didn’t offend his big donors.
