SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP)—Facing pressure to address an ongoing drought, California lawmakers are expected to vote Wednesday on a plan to speed up more than $1 billion in water spending.
Gov. Jerry Brown and legislative leaders from both parties announced last week they would fast-track legislation to provide immediate relief from dry conditions and expedite funding for local water projects.
The state Senate plans to vote on the bills Wednesday afternoon after budget committees in both chambers take it up.
California is in its fourth year of drought and has had no significant rain and snow to replenish reservoirs this year. The legislation would make available more than $100 million to help residents and wildlife affected by dry conditions, including for food banks and emergency drinking water.
The $1 billion plan is labeled as emergency legislation, but much of the funding has been available to the state for years and it could take years to make a difference in water supply.
Nearly two-thirds of the funds in the package would go to improve flood control structures by using leftover money from a 2006 voter-approved bond measure. Another $272 million from a water measure approved last year would fund grants for water recycling and expanding drinking water in small and poor cities.
The Assembly is expected to vote on the proposal Thursday.
Source: www.capitalpress.com