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What Are Valley Members of Congress Doing to Fix Crumbling Rural Roads?
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By David Taub, Senior Reporter
Published 12 months ago on
September 10, 2024

Rural roads, like this one in California, would benefit from bipartisan federal legislation sponsored by Valley congressional members. (GV Wire File)

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Rural roads used by heavy trucks in agricultural areas need repair, and a bipartisan delegation of Central Valley congressmembers wants to ensure they get fixed.

Congressmember David Valadao, R-Kings County, introduced the “Farm to Market Road Improvement Act” to increase federal support to fix rural roads.

“The Central Valley plays a critical role in the security of our nation’s food supply,” Valadao said in a news release. “But after years of wear and tear from heavy trucks transporting the food that feeds the world through our roads, many are in desperate need of repair.”

The proposed legislation does not have a bill number yet. Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick, D-Florida, Vince Fong, R-Bakersfield, and Jim Costa, D-Fresno are co-sponsors.

Background information provided by Valadao said the bill would set aside 10% of the Rural Surface Transportation Grant Program for qualifying roads — counties with at least $1 billion of agriculture production and $500,000 per square mile of production.

Fresno, Tulare, Kings, and Kern counties would qualify, Valadao said.

The legislation has the support of the Tulare County Association of Governments, Kings County Farm Bureau, American Farm Bureau, and Palm Beach County (Florida).

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David Taub,
Senior Reporter
Curiosity drives David Taub. The award-winning journalist might be shy, but feels mighty with a recorder in his hand. He doesn't see it his job to "hold public officials accountable," but does see it to provide readers (and voters) the information needed to make intelligent choices. Taub has been honored with several writing awards from the California News Publishers Association. He's just happy to have his stories read. Joining GV Wire in 2016, Taub covers politics, government and elections, mainly in the Fresno/Clovis area. He also writes columns about local eateries (Appetite for Fresno), pro wrestling (Off the Bottom Rope), and media (Media Man). Prior to joining the online news source, Taub worked as a radio producer for KMJ and PowerTalk 96.7 in Fresno. He also worked as an assignment editor for KCOY-TV in Santa Maria, California, and KSEE-TV in Fresno. He has also worked behind the scenes for several sports broadcasts, including the NCAA basketball tournament, and the Super Bowl. When not spending time with his family, Taub loves to officially score Fresno Grizzlies games. Growing up in the San Francisco Bay Area, Taub is a die-hard Giants and 49ers fan. He graduated from the University of Michigan with dual degrees in communications and political science. Go Blue! You can contact David at 559-492-4037 or at Send an Email

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