(August 11, 2010) Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger and the California State Legislature have approved legislation to move Proposition 18, the Safe, Clean and Reliable Drinking Water Supply Act to the November 2012 statewide ballot.
The water bond is vital to the reliability of California’s statewide water supply. In early July, CalChamber issued a news release explaining that it is critical that the campaign has sufficient time and resources so that voters fully understand the issues at stake and the need for the bond.
“As everyone knows, in a state as large as California, an education campaign takes time and money,” said Allan Zaremberg, President and CEO of CalChamber. “Moving the vote on the water bond until 2012 makes sense because it will give us the time needed to get our message out and properly educate voters about how important an improved water infrastructure will be to California. Voter research confirms that when educated on the need and benefits to their local community and the economy, voters will support the water bond. We must have the time it will take to raise revenue and ensure that voters understand what is at stake.”
On Monday, state lawmakers acted to pull the initiative from the November ballot and put it off until the 2012 election. Governor Schwarzenegger worked with proponents to postpone Proposition 18, and he signed the bill yesterday evening removing the measure from the November general election ballot. State election officials urged rapid action because they must soon begin printing November ballots.
The $11.1 billion water bond is part of a comprehensive legislative package on water that passed the Legislature as part of a special session on November 4, 2009. The package also includes four policy bills that cover Delta governance, conservation, groundwater monitoring, water rights and illegal water diversions. The controversy surrounding water rights proved too difficult to surmount and that bill was not taken up before the special session adjourned.
Four water bonds totaling $11.6 billion have already been approved by the voters in recent years. The bonds funded mostly environmental protection, restoration and enhancement projects, basic ongoing safe drinking water programs and land acquisition. Although roughly half of Proposition 84’s $5.38 billion bond, passed by the voters in 2006, funded regional water quality projects, a very nominal amount was allocated to water supply feasibility studies.
For more information, visit the campaign website at www.waterforca.com.