Water Vote Delay?
Sacramento, CA — Californians may have to wait until 2012 to vote on the proposed $11 billion water package.
Currently the bond measure is scheduled to go before voters in November, but Governor Schwarzenegger is proposing that a decision be postponed by two years.
The bond would allocate funding for the construction of new storage facilities and create conservation programs. Given the state’s $19.1 billion deficit, proponents fear that the water bond has little chance of passing this year.
District 14 Republican State Senator Dave Cogdill helped author the water legislation, and hesitantly supports the delay.
“While I believe we must immediately invest in our water future, timing is everything, and I’m willing to wait to bolster voter understanding of this critical measure,” says Cogdill.
Senate Democratic leader Darrell Steinberg also helped write the legislation and supports the Governor’s call to delay a vote. Since the bond measure has already qualified for the November ballot, a postponement requires approval from two-thirds of the legislature.
Written by bjhansen@mlode.com.
