September 16 ,2014 - SACRAMENTO – Assembly Water, Parks and Wildlife Committee Vice Chair Frank Bigelow, R-O’Neals, today issued the following statement in response to Governor Jerry Brown signing a package of far-reaching groundwater management measures on Tuesday at the State Capitol:
“With the stroke of a pen, Governor Brown today ignored the pleas of Democrats, Republicans and every major agricultural group and property rights organization from around the state and instead approved sweeping new state powers that will undermine private property rights and set the stage for billions of dollars in new fees. It is troubling that the Governor chose to sign these measures despite the fact that every Member of the Legislature from the most affected areas urged him to veto them and instead call a special session of the Legislature to reach consensus on groundwater.”
“Despite today’s action, I will continue to work with my colleagues on both sides of the aisle next session to try and reverse the many serious flaws in these new state laws.”
Lifelong rancher Frank Bigelow proudly represents the 5th Assembly District, which encompasses Alpine, Amador, Calaveras, El Dorado, Madera, Mariposa, Mono, Placer, and Tuolumne counties and includes Lake Tahoe and Yosemite National Park.