Jerry McNerney talks about the economy, health care, veterans and water
 
Congressman Jerry McNerney, who has represented the 11th District in the U.S. House of Representatives since January 2007, shared his perspective on issues facing the nation and the area in his June 30 Contra Costa Council luncheon presentation. The congressman discussed the importance of transportation, energy policy, innovation in small business, leadership in our schools, health care reform and the Delta, among other topics.
 
He said the federal stimulus package "is money well spent." "We want to create a strong and transparent financial system," he noted. "In general, the American people voted for change [with the election of Barack Obama], and I feel a responsibility and duty to our nation and our district to look for change that will benefit the nation, children and our world in the long term." If we do the things we need to do as a nation, we will continue to have a prosperous community that is envied throughout the world, he said.
 
McNerney said the groundbreaking energy policy, passed in June, was a "gut-wrenching experience," with much compromise and varied interests at play. The minority party had been trying to slow down process, but the legislation "gets us where we need to go," he said. He also focused on the importance of providing affordable health care to every American. Noting that health care is a contentious issue, he said that President Obama had chosen wisely in allowing Congress to work out the details. "The more who are served, the more acceptable the program will be . . . there will be some pain. It isn't going to be a freebie," he said, adding that the proposed plan is a good system that provides basic health care.
 
He allowed that this is a "scary time, a challenging time" due to the rate of foreclosures and the fallen housing market. He said he comes home to Pleasanton every possible weekend to get out into the community and listen to what people are thinking.
 
In response to questions, McNerney said there is a lot of excitement about emerging energy jobs and the opportunity they offer to create more efficient homes and buildings. He said he felt strongly about the importance of growing the renewable energy sector, with early leadership provided by local talent and companies.
 
With regard to the plan to redistrict the state in 2010, he believes California is likely to lose one congressional seat. A strong supporter of veterans and a member of the House Committee on Veterans' Affairs, McNerney touted his involvement in working to keep open the Veterans' Administration facility in Livermore. "It is a tremendous asset, an incredible facility, and the perfect place for young men and women who have served our country to come back and readjust [to civilian life]," he said.
 
He also voiced support for reauthorization of the transportation bill and nonsupport of the proposed peripheral canal. The Delta is the most valuable estuary on the west coast and has to be defended. I see no benefit in favoring farmers over fish," he said. We have to use science to export water wisely, and we have to get Stockton and Sacramento to make effluent cleaner. "We don't need a contentious fight on this," he added.