<a href="http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20110502/ap_on_re_us/us_calif_palin_college_speech">http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20110502/ap_on_re_us/us_calif_palin_college_speech</a><br><br><div class="hd">
<h1 id="yn-title">Palin decries water restrictions at Calif. college</h1>
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By GOSIA WOZNIACKA, Associated Press <span class="fn org">Gosia Wozniacka, Associated Press</span>
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<abbr title="2011-05-01T19:20:30-0700" class="timedate">Sun May 1, 10:20 pm ET</abbr></div>
<p>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.</p>
<p>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.</p>
<p>"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."</p>
<p>Palin also spoke about high gas prices, dependence on
foreign oil, the need for domestic drilling and limiting currency
inflation.</p>
<p>"The government should get out of our way and let us
get this economy moving again," she said. "Instead of drilling ourselves
and circulating the money here, we're relying on foreign regimes."</p>
<p>The audience in what is generally a conservative
region was supportive, cheering and applauding loudly. Someone even
broke out with, "We love you Sarah!"</p>
<p>"It was awesome, she was right on," said Doug
Freitas, a Lemoore farmer, after the speech. "About water, there are
farmers who can't grow their crops, these hardworking people can't pay
their bills. And the deficit, it's so scary and it seems like the
general public doesn't realize it."</p>
<p>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.</p>
<p>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.</p>
<p>This time, West Hills College's president, Don
Warkentin, said its foundation paid the Washington Speakers Bureau
$115,000 to land Palin for the inauguration of the college's newly built
Golden Eagle Arena.</p>
<p>Warkentin said he didn't know the exact amount Palin
will receive. But he said the foundation has recouped the fee by selling
tickets to a private, post-speech dinner with the 2008 Republican
vice-presidential candidate.</p>
<p>Money from ticket sales will go toward scholarships and maintenance of the sports complex, Warkentin said.</p>
<p>"California is in deep trouble," he said. "So we're
doing things like this to try to maintain our programs and raise money
for our students."</p>
<p>The school, which has an enrollment of 3,000 this
semester, did not provide an estimate of other costs associated with
Palin's visit, including security, decorations and janitorial services.</p>
<p>Palin is the first of several high profile figures
the university will host as part of its new distinguished speaker
series. Former first lady Laura Bush is scheduled to speak at the sports
arena in September. Next February, Princeton scholar Cornell West will
visit.</p>
<p>State Sen. Leland Yee, who criticized UC Stanislaus
for not releasing how much it paid Palin, praised the college in Lemoore
for being more transparent.</p>
<p>"I'm very pleased the foundation disclosed how much
they will be paying Palin," Yee said. "I'm a little disappointed by the
fact that Palin is a millionaire and our students are struggling, some
of them cannot afford to go to college. I was hoping Sarah Palin would
defer the fee and do the speech for the goodness of the college and for
our students."</p><br>