Keene Named “Legislator Of The Year”

By Mosquito and Vector Control Association of California  

SACRAMENTO – The Mosquito and Vector Control Association of California (MVCAC) named Assemblyman Rick Keene, R-Chico, “Legislator of the Year” for protecting West Nile virus funding.  

Keene cast the lone “no” vote against the Budget Conference Committee’s initial decision to reduce West Nile virus control funding from $12 million to $3 million.   These funds support existing local mosquito control districts West Nile virus eradication efforts by increasing personnel, equipment and educational materials.  After Keene urged reconsideration, the Committee voted against such cuts.

“I am honored to receive this recognition. Every year, more Californians contract mosquito-borne viruses.  We need to address the threat now and take whatever appropriate means necessary to prevent the virus from spreading.  Not taking action would produce deadly results,” said Keene.

In California this year, 904 individuals have been infected with West Nile Virus and 18 related fatalities. 

The Mosquito and Vector Control Association of California represents 60 agencies statewide that implement surveillance programs to detect mosquito-borne diseases, mosquito abatement programs and public education campaigns. 

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