Governor Proposes Delaying Water Bond

Home

Governor Proposes Delaying Water Bond

On Tuesday, June 29, Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger asked the Legislature to postpone the $11.1 billion water bond, Proposition 18, from the November 2010 ballot to 2012. Senate President Pro Tempore Darrell Steinberg and the chair of the campaign to pass the water bond, Jim Earp, have both since supported this position.

In making his request, Schwarzenegger stated, "It's critical that the water bond pass, as it will improve California's economic growth, environmental sustainability and water supply for future generations. For that reason, I will work with the Legislature to postpone the bond to the next ballot and avoid jeopardizing its passage."

Steinberg responded to the governor's request in a written statement, "Given the challenges currently facing California, I agree with the governor the water bond should be postponed.''

Jim Earp, executive director of California Alliance for Jobs and chair of the campaign to pass the water bond, Alliance for Clean Water and Jobs, has notified CSDA and other supporters of the bond that the campaign supports the governor's request. Earp stated in a campaign press release, "We're confident that when presented to voters, they will approve the measure. However, in light of the economic situation, we agree with the governor and legislative leaders that the best timing for the water bond is in 2012. We support postponing the bond to 2012."