California lawmakers are taking a closer look at two new water bond proposals that would replace the measure currently set for next November’s ballot. Ben Adler has more from Sacramento on Tuesday’s committee hearing at the Capitol.
One of the two alternative water bond proposals comes from Senator Lois Wolk and focuses on restoring the area she represents: the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta.
“We need to really keep the focus on investing in projects that can make a difference in the next 5-10 years, and not let the controversy over other projects that aren’t ready to go inhibit our ability to implement effective water solutions now,” says Wolk.
The other bond proposal comes from Los Angeles County Assemblyman Anthony Rendon and has more of a statewide focus.
Both bonds call for spending $6.5 billion – less than the $11 billion called for in the November 2014 bond measure.
Meanwhile, Governor Jerry Brown is still pushing his proposal to build two tunnels underneath the Delta to deliver water to Central and Southern California. That project does not technically need water bond funding – but the two are in many ways politically intertwined.
