Hoping to preserve the integrity of the military bases in California, especially those in Ventura County, State Senator Tony Strickland (R-Moorpark) sent a letter to Governor Jerry Brown, asking him to authorize the creation of an unpaid, volunteer task force.

“With Port Hueneme and Point Mugu in Ventura County employing thousands of people in my district, it’s of the utmost importance to me that these bases are kept open should the U.S. Department of Defense go forward with a new round of base closures,” Strickland said.

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“Similar task forces have been authorized by Governors in the past, so I’m hopeful Gov. Brown and I can work together on this issue to ensure our military bases continue to provide both safety and an economic benefit to the people of California.”

A copy of Sen. Strickland’s letter to Gov. Brown can be found below.

Dear Governor Brown:

U.S. Department of Defense Secretary Leon Panetta recently announced his plan to request a round of military base closures through the Federal Base Realignment and Closure Commission (BRAC).

With Port Hueneme and Point Mugu located in Ventura County, I plan to fight to keep these bases open. Ventura County military bases provide a great economic impact to our local economy, including providing roughly 19,000 much-needed jobs – both military and civilian alike – to people in my district.

In fact, military bases across the state economically benefit the people of California by providing resources to the aerospace industry and by supporting local small businesses. Additionally, these bases ensure our continued safety through their strong military presence.

California’s military bases are an invaluable part of our local community. Therefore, I plan to introduce a Senate Joint Resolution encouraging our California Congressional delegation to keep these bases open. Further, I respectfully request that you authorize the formation of an unpaid, volunteer task force for the strategic purpose of preserving California’s military bases.

Similar task forces were authorized in 1993 and 2004, including the California Council on Base Support and Retention, which was created by Governor Schwarzenegger in 2004 and co-chaired by Leon Panetta. The California Military Base Reuse Task Force was created by Governor Wilson in 1993. These task forces have since expired.

I hope you will help to preserve the bases in my district, as well as bases throughout California, so they can continue to function as positive economic and military resources to the people of California.

If you have any questions, please call my Capitol Office at (916) 651-4019.

Sincerely,

TONY STRICKLAND
State Senator, 19th District