August 26, 2014 - Albert Einstein said, “Example isn't another way to teach, it is the only way to teach.” Legislators from rural California, particularly those from the Central Valley, put partisan bickering aside and stood firm on what was right for our region and by extension, all of California. How ironic, those of us from the so-called tumbleweeds actually led the way, demonstrating to the rest of the legislature what can be done when sights are set on what is right for all of California, and not our individual selves.
Last week’s passage of a comprehensive water bond – a bill I’m proud to say I was a coauthor of – IS a very big deal. And right up front I want to recognize former Sen. Dave Cogdill's contributions. The years of work he put into a water bond is why we had the framework we had to get it done now. It simply wouldn’t have been possible without him. Thanks Dave.
The $7.5 billion bond measure that will go in front of voters this November is a big win for agriculture, industry, jobs and all of California. It was a win for bipartisanship. It was a win for fiscal responsibility. Most importantly, it was a critical win for meeting the needs of California’s future.
Key components of the measure include $2.7 billion for additional water storage – that’s almost $1 billion more than the governor originally proposed. Nearly 40 percent of the funds are dedicated to water storage. That figure represents not only rural legislators sticking together, but our local farm bureaus and agriculture groups hanging tough for a realistic dollar amount.
Storage is essential for actually providing more water to all of California for future generations. It was very important to me and my fellow Senate Republicans that there be sufficient funds for two planned storage projects — Sites Reservoir in the Sacramento Valley and Temperance Flat Dam on the San Joaquin River. We worked hard to ensure that there was enough money in the bond so that we can actually build those projects and they can’t get blocked by the Legislature in the future.
Other key components include protections for existing water rights, area of origin protections, funding for watershed protection, restoration and state settlements, safe drinking water, regional water reliability, groundwater sustainability and a $100 million commitment from the governor and the Assembly speaker for cross-connectivity of the Central Valley, which will bring much needed water relief to the hardest hit areas in the region.
This measure replaces an $11.1-billion proposed bond originally written in 2009 that was set to go before voters in November but had been twice postponed.
This new measure we’re giving voters is a fiscally responsible measure that hits all the high notes for moving and storing water and will benefit all Californians. It’s a no-frills compromise measure that will cost Californians nearly $4 billion less than the earlier bond. It is truly a bipartisan effort; one in which all of us put our differences aside and worked toward something that was right for all of California.
Because Republicans and Democrats worked together and secured critical water storage, we have a bond that not only meets California’s needs, but also has strong support from voters and should pass in the November election. That’s a great model for how things should be done in Sacramento and a win for all of us.
