MCEDC 2026 LEGISLATIVE PRINCIPLES
The Legislative Principles guide the Madera County Economic Development Commission (MCEDC) in forming positions on upcoming federal and state legislation, ensuring that policy advocacy supports economic prosperity and enhances the quality of life in the County of Madera and the Cities of Madera and Chowchilla.
MCEDC supports economic vitality by promoting local businesses and expanding employment opportunities. MCEDC advocates for workforce training and development strategies that remove structural and economic barriers to employment. MCEDC also encourages collaboration among public, private, educational, and nonprofit sectors to drive economic growth, innovation, and long- term prosperity. In addition, MCEDC supports legislation that enables orderly economic expansion, responsible development, and increased discretionary revenues that provide programmatic and fiscal flexibility for local governments throughout Madera County. MCEDC further backs legislation that advances economic development activities aimed at promoting and attracting businesses to the region.
MCEDC supports efforts to streamline regulatory processes and promote operational improvements, including technological advancements that enhance service efficiency for customers. MCEDC opposes policies that impose unnecessary fiscal, regulatory, or operational burdens on local government departments.
MCEDC supports efforts to streamline regulatory processes and promote operational improvements, including technological advancements that enhance service efficiency for customers. MCEDC opposes policies that impose unnecessary fiscal, regulatory, or operational burdens on local government departments.
MCEDC supports partnerships with neighboring local governments, special districts, regional associations, tribal agencies, local chambers, businesses and other organizations on mutually beneficial issues such as economic vitality, disaster response and resiliency, transportation, housing, and broadband. MCEDC also supports the advocacy efforts of aligned organizations, including the California State Association of Counties (CSAC), League of California Cities (CalCities), National Association of Counties (NACo), Madera County Transportation Commission (MCTC), Workforce Development Board of Madera County, California Central Valley Economic Development Corporation (CCVEDC), California Business Properties Association (CBPA), and the California Chamber of Commerce (CalChamber). In addition, MCEDC supports active engagement with local businesses, agencies, and governments to advance community well-being and expand voluntary regional solutions to regional challenges.
MCEDC supports local authority and control over governance issues, land-use policies, and service delivery, emphasizing flexibility and the ability to design and implement policies that reflect community priorities. MCEDC also advocates for the direct distribution of federal funds to local governments rather than allocation through state or regional pass-through processes.
MCEDC supports maintaining and enhancing safety net services that protect the most vulnerable within the County and Cities, including children, the elderly, individuals with disabilities, the unhoused, and other at-risk populations. MCEDC supports collaboration between federal, state, and local governments in the delivery and funding of these services. MCEDC also supports providing uninterrupted and reliable healthcare services to the community. Further, MCEDC opposes reductions in reimbursement amounts and changes in policy that reduce service levels.
MCEDC supports advocating for state and federal funding to improve transportation, energy, water, and utility infrastructure critical to business operations, including road improvements, energy resiliency, broadband access, and water quality. MCEDC also supports legislative and budgetary efforts to increase funding for the repair and maintenance of transportation infrastructure. This support does not extend to increases in fuel or licensing taxes, which disproportionately affects rural cities and counties. Additionally, MCEDC supports legislation that would modify transportation funding allocations to consider both the number of maintained road miles and the number of licensed vehicles within local government jurisdictions.
The California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) is essential for protecting the environment and public health. However, its complexity and lengthy review processes can delay critical housing, commercial, industrial, and infrastructure projects. Reforming CEQA is necessary to balance environmental protections with the need for sustainable growth and development. MCEDC supports legislation that streamlines the CEQA review process for projects that meet specific criteria, such as affordable housing and essential infrastructure, expediting approvals without compromising environmental standards. MCEDC also supports a comprehensive approach to increasing housing availability, affordability, and stability.
Over the past seven years, the state has faced an unprecedented series of emergencies and disasters, including severe drought, catastrophic wildfires, power outages, earthquakes, and intense storms with flooding. In addition, Madera County has properties located within high and very high Fire Hazard Severity Zones, exposing the community to significant risks from natural disasters. These hazards pose serious threats not only to residents’ safety but also to the stability of the local economy, underscoring the importance of proactive disaster preparedness and community protection.
MCEDC supports disaster prevention strategies such as home hardening, vegetation management, advanced technologies, and advocating for utility undergrounding to reduce wildfire risk. MCEDC also supports emergency response efforts by coordinating human services programs and benefits to ensure communities have access to critical resources for recovery and rebuilding. In addition, MCEDC supports post-disaster recovery initiatives, advocates for legislation and regulations that help prevent future disasters and promotes access to affordable insurance coverage throughout the county.
Eastern Madera County, encompassing the foothill and mountainous regions of the county, serves as a vital gateway to Yosemite National Park and is a popular destination for outdoor recreation and tourism. The region features a diverse natural landscape, including the Sierra National Forest, Bass Lake, and vibrant mountain communities such as Oakhurst, North Fork, and Coarsegold. The local economy is strongly supported by tourism and hospitality, with small businesses, cultural institutions, and the area’s historical connection to California’s Gold Rush playing central roles. Agritourism is also thriving, offering a wide range of experiences, from specialty stores showcasing local fruits and nuts, to restaurants highlighting farm-to-table produce, as well as the year-round Madera Wine Trail. Agriculture-nature tourism continues to grow, providing opportunities to diversify and sustain family farms while supporting economic stability in rural communities. This ongoing effort is strengthened through collaboration with visitor bureaus, farm advisors, local governments, the Farm Bureau, agricultural producers, and the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service.
MCEDC supports initiatives that promote economic diversification, targeting industries such as technology, renewable energy, and tourism alongside traditional sectors like agriculture. MCEDC also actively encourages “shop local” initiatives to strengthen small businesses and community resilience.
