California Prop 1: Water Funding Gets Political

By Sara Jerome,
@sarmje

The fate of California's $7.5 billion water bond proposal hangs in the balance since voters will have a chance to vote it up or down in November.

The biggest supporter of Prop 1 is Governor Jerry Brown. "Campaign records from the Fair Political Practices Commission showed the Brown for Governor 2014 campaign has pumped $875,765 into Prop 1 in a fight over water that Californians have been waging for generations," KCRA reported.

The governor is trying to drum up support for Prop 1 in a new TV ad, according to the San Francisco Chronicle. “It’s been over 50 years since we built the State Water Project that’s been the backbone of California,” he says in the ad. “To stay strong, we need a reliable water supply, and a stable budget.”

But the proposal also has various opponents. "A coalition of fishermen and environmentalists [have] announced their opposition to Prop 1," KCRA reported. "Opponents contend that Prop 1 will destroy the Delta and hurt taxpayers."

A website formed by opponents, titled "No To Prop 1," argues: "Prop 1 will cost California taxpayers $360 MILLION dollars per year for 40 years on top of our already staggering $777 BILLION dollar state debt."

Bill Jennings, of the California Sport Fishing Protection Alliance, explained this stance. "It's a pork-filled gift basket with special interest subsidies," he said, per the news report.

Steve Hopcraft, an organizer for the "No To Prop 1" campaign, is motivated by his concern for the environment. "We're very concerned about our rivers here," he said.

Proponents say that Prop1 would help drought-proof the state. The "$7.1 billion in borrowing will help ensure a reliable water supply for farms and businesses during the drought," they say, according to the report.

For more on policy and politics, check out Water Online's Regulations & Legislation Solution Center.