Water Bond Too Important to Wait

Asm. Caballero presses need for water bond at Salinas press conferences.  Left to right:  Salinas Mayor Dennis Donahue; Ron Davis, Assn. of CA Water Agencies; Kay Filice, Owner, Filice Farms; Jim Earp, CA Alliance for Jobs

With water shortages throughout California, communities throughout my district are feeling the impact. 

That’s why I have spent many hours over the past few weeks co-chairing a special Assembly Democratic caucus water working group appointed by Assembly Speaker Karen Bass to develop consensus on a water bond that would provide solutions to our water quality and supply problems.  

The result of that work is AB 8xx, a bill I jointly authored with Assembly Member Jared Huffman (D-San Rafael) and with Assembly Member Lois Wolk (D-Davis).  The bill would place a $9.8 billion general obligation bond measure on the November statewide ballot to deal with our water quality and supply problems.

AB 8xx also attempts to break a political logjam that has for years prevented passage of a water bond measure, by providing $3 billion for new storage facilities heavily weighted in favor of the construction of dams. 

If this measure was passed by the voters, San Benito growers could benefit from ecosystem and water system improvements in the Delta to help restore water deliveries.  Hollister could explore wastewater treatment and reuse projects that could relieve provide more water. 

Assembly Member Caballero conducts a press conference in Salinas to draw attention to the need for a water bond.  Left to right: Ron Davis, Association of California Water Agencies; Asm. Caballero; Jim Earp, Executive Director, California Alliance for Jobs

In Monterey County, funds would be available to develop new water storage or desalination projects, and projects to fix the saltwater intrusion that contaminates local groundwater.  San Geraldo and Prunedale could clean up badly contaminated groundwater.  Pajaro Valley and Watsonville could work on salinity contamination of groundwater, and improved wastewater recycling.  Gilroy could clean up contaminated groundwater, and Santa Clara County could expand recycling and reuse projects.

Unfortunately, the clock ran out before we were able to reach a final agreement in this legislative session. But I am encouraged that we were able to make progress in bridging historical differences on water policy.  The Legislature is still in an extraordinary session called by the governor because of the water crisis.  We need to continue our discussion through the fall to be ready with a solution as soon as possible. 

Learn More:

Assembly Member Caballero Presents Major Water Bond to Relieve Drought, Restore Delta Ecosystem and Advance Water Storage