The one thing we are asked to address most (by our members) is health insurance. We are hoping to accomplish rate stability and make our employees healthier.

The ongoing construction of the stadium has continued at a rapid pace, and we're extremely pleased with the progress. It's projected to be done on time. But, in moving the San Jose State game to Spartan Stadium, we feel it gives us that extra week to assure ourselves that the stadium will be 100 percent ready.

The ongoing decrease in the number of people smoking in California is a major public health achievement. With California adults smoking 25 percent less than the rest of the nation, our state continues to benefit from lower rates of tobacco-related illnesses.

The only alternative is that 100 percent of this gets paid by the existing tax base.

The only consolation to farmers is that the price of seafood will go up further. So when production gets back on track, fish and shrimp producers can use the profits to recover their lost costs.