<p>Governor Jerry Brown met with Valley farmers and water managers on Monday to address the current state of the drought amid a growing push for him to declare a statewide drought emergency. Brown is being pressured by the agriculture industry, as well as politicians and business leaders, to make the declaration, according to the Fresno Bee. Monday's meeting was held at the Westlands Water District offices in central Fresno.<hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding">"I think today Valley leaders made a strong case that a drought declaration should be made, and I think the governor was listening," said Assembly Member Henry T. Perea.<hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding">But by the end of the meeting Brown wasn't quite ready to make any such announcement. At least not yet.<hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding">"The bishops are advising us to pray for rain," Brown stated at a Fresno City Hall news conference. "I am planning to go beyond that and do whatever we can in terms of water exchanges, working with local farmers and water districts to maximize the resources that we have. It is really serious and my staff and administration are preparing appropriate papers to do what is necessary."<hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding">Brown was asked specifically if a drought emergency would be declared in the state, in which he responded "not today, but we're certainly getting ready."<hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding">U.S. Sen. Dianne Feinstein and Rep. Jim Costa called on Brown last month to immediately declare a drought and to request a broad emergency declaration from President Barack Obama, the report states. This action would expedite some water transfers, provide financial assistance and suspend some state and federal regulations.<hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding">The Nisei Farmers League, California Latino Water Coalition in addition to other groups are planning a rally on the west steps of the Capitol in Sacramento to call for short-term action on water, as well as long-term construction of new infrastructure.<hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding">Stay tuned to AndNowUKnow as we provide updates on the drought situation in California.<hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding"><a class="btn btn-sm btn-primary col-lg-12" style="white-space: normal;" href="http://www.fresnobee.com/2014/01/13/3711994/valley-leaders-urge-gov-jerry.html" target="_new">Fresno Bee</a></p><hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding">
