Department of Water Resources
A daily compilation for DWR personnel of significant news articles and comment
November 27, 2007
1. Top Items
No sign of progress on water, health reform; Votes postponed as talks continue - Associated Press
Little progress made on fixing water woes; Bond measure ballot deadline approaches - San Diego Union Tribune
No sign of progress on water, health reform; Votes postponed as talks continue
Associated Press – 11/27/07
By Don Thompson, staff writer
Instead, there were no signs of any deals on Monday as Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger and legislative leaders tried to salvage something from the special legislative sessions called in September.
Senate President Pro Tem Don Perata, D-Oakland, canceled a vote on the water bond he had hoped to put before voters in February. Assembly Speaker Fabian Nuñez, D-
Schwarzenegger then summoned Perata, Nuñez and their Republican counterparts in the Senate and Assembly to his office for what legislative aides described as a last-ditch effort to find common ground.
"Clearly, there still remain serious negotiations on both," said Adam Mendelsohn, Schwarzenegger's communications director.
The secretary of state's office said the February ballot deadline has passed unless lawmakers waive portions of state election law and pay for supplemental ballot pamphlets. But a measure still could go on the June or November 2008 ballots.
Schwarzenegger still wants to place a $10 billion water bond before voters on the Feb. 5 presidential primary ballot, Perata said after the 75-minute meeting.
"It's getting late in the game, but there's still time," Perata said.
He also said he will delay gathering signatures for his own proposed ballot initiative on water that would have bypassed lawmakers entirely. That demonstrates that "he has faith in getting something done through the Legislature," said his spokeswoman, Alicia Trost.
The sticking point remains spending $3 billion Perata has set aside to build three reservoirs that are being sought by Republican lawmakers.
Democrats want an annual legislative review that could divert the funding to other water projects. Republicans want a legal guarantee the money will be spent for dams, as a way of "making sure a future Legislature can't undo what we did," said Senate Minority Leader Dick Ackerman, R-Tustin.
"We'll still keep working and see what happens," said Assembly Minority Leader Mike Villines, R-Clovis.
Nuñez has told Assembly members to return to
The speaker wants to put a measure before voters in November 2008 that would raise taxes to pay for expanding health care coverage. Such a plan would require voter approval because it surely would fail to generate the two-thirds support needed in the Legislature, where Republicans oppose raising taxes. #
http://www.mercurynews.com/localnewsheadlines/ci_7568768
Little progress made on fixing water woes; Bond measure ballot deadline approaches
By Michael Gardner, staff writer
Talks to place a $10.7 billion water bond measure on the Feb. 5 ballot produced little progress yesterday, just four weeks before a federal court order goes into effect cutting deliveries south out of the
Closed-door negotiations were adjourned after the governor and leaders struggled for more than an hour about how to resolve differences tied to storage, a canal to deliver water to
The Legislature was originally planning to take up the water bond and health reform measures this week, but there is nothing to vote on.
The governor and leaders parted ways without resuming their quest for a $14 billion comprehensive health care reform package, which included greatly expanded coverage and tax increases. They appear somewhat more optimistic about a water-bond agreement.
“It's getting late in the game, but there's still time,” said Senate President Pro Tempore Don Perata, D-Oakland, who crafted one of the proposed water bonds.
The deadline for the Feb. 5 ballot has been a moving target, depending on waiving notice rules and absorbing higher costs.
Overseas military ballots go in the mail Dec. 7.
A delay beyond February, perhaps to elections in June or November, could make passage of a water bond even more of a challenge. By then, voters may sour on spending more money if the economy continues its stagnant course and lawmakers don't come to grips with a projected $10 billion budget shortfall through 2009.
Nevertheless, officials insist too much is at stake to allow vital water programs to go unfunded for long.
“Failure is not an option,” said Tim Quinn, executive director of the Association of California Water Agencies. “The crisis isn't going to go away.”
The state issued a reminder yesterday through a bleak early forecast of 25 percent deliveries to dozens of water agencies.
For the
While the bond may accomplish little to fend off looming shortages this summer, the stalemate casts doubt on the ability of the governor and Legislature to move forward even as the state confronts scattered rationing that could be costly to homeowners, businesses and farmers.
The
More immediately,
Judge Oliver Wanger's order threatens to reduce deliveries by as much as 2 million acre-feet – enough for 4 million households a year – to keep the 3-inch smelt from being drawn into the pumps near
Jeffrey Kightlinger, general manager of the giant Metropolitan Water District, said the state has to act now.
“It's not about immediate repairs,” he said. “The longer you delay something, the longer you delay getting finished.” #
http://www.signonsandiego.com/news/state/20071127-9999-1n27water.html
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