The Berliners have considered other options in the state. The Central Valley towns of Modesto and Turlock, for example, are appealing because their irrigation districts provide water and power at costs comparable to Oregon's. Modesto officials brought the firm to the attention of Schwarzenegger's business, transportation and housing secretary, Sunne McPeak.
"This is so emblematic of the kind of employer that has made California what it is," McPeak said. "We need to keep them here."
In the last two months, McPeak has arranged discussions between the Berliners and water agencies in Santa Rosa and Modesto. State officials took part in conference calls with the couple and the city of Modesto about acquiring land for Amy's Kitchen.
The governor's phone call was made in large part to reassure the Berliners of his commitment to changing the workers' comp system, according to his aides. After beginning with his "Ich bin ein Berliner" line ("he said that a few times; he really liked that," Andy Berliner said), Schwarzenegger said he was committed to delivering meaningful workers' comp reform this year. If there is no legislative deal, he pledged to the couple -- as he has publicly -- to sponsor an initiative on the November ballot.
"Please be patient," the governor said, asking them to commit to delaying any move for a few months.
"He said if we could wait and see how successful he'll be with workers' comp, we should stay," Rachel Berliner said. "It was really sweet.
"Very often in dealing with bureaucratic situations, I've felt placated. I did not feel like I was being placated. I felt he was leveling with us."
This month, Schwarzenegger's aides asked Rachel Berliner to become a member of a private, not-for-profit commission charged with keeping businesses in the state. She agreed. And she and her husband postponed a meeting with Oregon's governor, who had been scheduled to visit them last month.
"We're going to give Arnold some time," Andy Berliner said, before quickly adding: "We're going to continue to look at our options."
