LEMOORE, Calif. — Sarah Palin returned to Central California’s agricultural region Sunday and lambasted the federal government for limiting the amount of water the state’s farmers can get for their crops.
The former Alaska governor told more than 1,400 people at West Hills College in Lemoore
that endangered species regulations protecting the Delta smelt and limiting pumping are “destroying” the lives of those in the Central Valley.
“A faceless government is taking away their lifeline, water, all because of a 3-inch fish,” Palin said. “Where I come from, a 3-inch fish, we call that bait. There is no need to destroy people’s lives over bait.”
Palin also spoke about high gas prices, dependence on foreign oil, the need for domestic drilling and limiting currency inflation.
Palin’s visit last year to California State University, Stanislaus — about 120 miles away — generated controversy after the university’s nonprofit foundation refused to divulge the terms of her contract and speaking fee.
The public university eventually revealed its foundation paid Palin $75,000 to give a 40-minute speech, and the event raised more than $207,000 for scholarships.
This time, West Hills College officials say their foundation paid the Washington Speakers Bureau $115,000 to land Palin for the inauguration of the college’s newly built Golden Eagle Arena.
They don’t know the exact amount Palin will receive. But they say their foundation has recouped the fee by selling tickets to a private, post-speech dinner with the 2008 Republican vice-presidential candidate.
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