California Water Alliance Applauds Governor & Legislature for Placing Bi-Partisan Water Bond on November Ballot
Sacramento, CA (PRWEB) August 14, 2014 -- Calling it a critical first step in addressing California’s chronic water crises, the California Water Alliance today commended the state legislature for reaching a bipartisan agreement with Governor Brown to place a $7.5 billion comprehensive water bond on the November ballot.
The agreement comes after thirteen days of intense negotiations between California lawmakers, water districts, and representatives of the agricultural, environmental, and business communities, including the California Water Alliance (CalWA).
“This pact is significant on many levels,” said Aubrey Bettencourt, Executive Director for CalWA. “Most importantly it recognizes that Californians statewide, from all walks of life, cannot afford to carry the burden of a dysfunctional water policy that has been exacerbated by the worst drought in California history.”
The drought, she said, has resulted in dramatic levels of unemployment, higher food prices, increased utility costs, water rationing and the crippling of California’s farms, many of which have had to fallow thousands of acres.
"Passing this bi-partisan water bond is the critical first step that Californians need to see towards leading the state out of this crisis,” Bettencourt said. “This bond provides the means to begin upgrading California's water system for the 21st century, including new storage facilities and clean water projects for underprivileged communities.
“While we would like to have seen greater investment in storage projects, we look forward to providing our support in promoting passage of the bond in November. We believe it will serve as a foundation for additional follow up measures that will become necessary to protect Californians, their jobs and the environment for decades to come.”
About the California Water Alliance
The California Water Alliance is a non-profit, non-partisan organization comprised of 4,000 members statewide that is dedicated to achieving both short-term relief and a long-term solution to the water emergency afflicting California. To this end, California Water Alliance supports the development of a water infrastructure bond that is comprehensive, and takes into account the needs of all Californians. To learn more, please visit http://www.californiawateralliance.org
Stevan Allen, [email protected], +1 916.448.1336, [email protected]
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