In his first State of the State Address today, Governor Gavin Newsom exclaimed, "There are problems that have been deferred for too long and that threaten to put the California dream out of reach for too many." He went on to outline the choices ahead, "The tough calls we must make together on rail, water, and energy. How we protect migrants, care for seniors, and help the homeless, and how we will tackle the affordability crisis that is coming to define life in this state." Of these challenges, he spent significant time on the issue of water.
In the middle of his speech, Governor Newsom stated, "We also need a fresh approach when it comes to meeting California's massive water challenges." He directly stated, "I do not support the Water Fix as currently configured. Meaning, I do not support the twin tunnels. But we can build on the important work that's already been done. That's why I do support a single tunnel."
Governor Newsom went on to detail his "Portfolio Approach" to water, saying, "Conveyance and efficiency. And recycling projects like we're seeing in Southern California's Met Water District, expanding floodplains in the Central Valley, groundwater recharge, like farmers are doing in Fresno County. We need a portfolio approach to building water infrastructure and meeting long-term demand."
To help implement his new approach, Governor Newsom announced the appointment of Joaquin Esquivel as the new chair of the California Water Resources Control Board.
In terms of drinking water, the Governor referred to the conditions in places like parts of Stanislaus County as, "A moral disgrace and a medical emergency." He went on to state that "Solving this crisis demands sustained funding. It demands political will."