Water Bond Negotiations Come to a Close

Association President/CEO Roger Isom has spent the past two days in Sacramento walking the halls seeking the most money possible for a water bond this state sorely needs.  In particular, the effort focused on getting as much funding for storage as possible, hopefully $3 billion.  This $3 billion figure was contained in the original bond, but the Governor had only committed to $2 billion.  In the midst of the negotiations, several groups came out in favor of $2.5 billion, but the Associations (CCGGA & WAPA) along with California Citrus Mutual, the California Fresh Fruit Association, California Dairies Inc., Nisei Farmers League and the California Rice Commission held fast; and due to these groups, and only these groups, it was eventually increased to $2.7 billion!  In addition, there will be some additional news in the near future on a separate effort to help fund a “cross valley connector” canal to help the entire water system.  This too was an effort of these organizations.  This was a tremendous achievement to get to $2.7 billion, and several Central Valley legislators deserve credit for holding strong including Assemblywoman Connie Conway, Assemblyman Rudy Salas, Assemblyman Henry T. Perea, Assemblyman Adam Gray, Assemblywoman Kristen Olsen, Assemblyman Jim Patterson, Senator Andy Vidak, Senator Jean Fuller, Senator Tom Berryhill, Senator Anthony Cannella, and Senator Jim Nielsen.  It truly was a bipartisan valleywide effort to try and secure as much funding for water as we could possibly get.  Now the effort to secure passage by voters in November begins…