California Senate Confirms New DPR Director Dr. Karen Morrison by Rebecca Radtke, LCMP  "Since joining DPR in 2018, and particularly in the last couple of years as Chief Deputy Director, I have worked to implement our vision of advancing safer, effective and sustainable pest management," Director Morrison said. "This is necessary to protect the health and wellbeing of workers and community members; to support a stable, economically viable and healthy food supply in California; and to protect and preserve our ecosystem, environment, and infrastructure."" The confirmation hearing was held before the Senate Rules Committee on July 9. Director Morrison explained that she has a strong commitment to DPR's vision and mission and that the department is in transition after securing investments in the 2024-25 State Budget. She has goals to expand environmental programs to best serve those most impacted by pesticide use, improve outcomes like increasing access to sustainable approaches, increase the pace of pesticide product registration for alternatives, enforce safe use, worker safety, and science-based processes for identification of high-risk pesticides, mitigation, and alternatives. Dr. Morrison was appointed by Gov. Gavin Newsom’s office on Feb. 11 of this year — having since served at the pleasure of the Governor following two years of leading the Department as Chief Deputy Director and Science Advisor. |
