Rep. Costa Statement On Possible Delay To Water Bond
July 1, 2010
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Congressman Jim Costa released the following statement today regarding Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger's intention to delay a vote on the $11.14 billion water bond until the November 2012 ballot:
"Postponing this critical bond measure is frustrating to most of us who support the water package. However, the possibility of delay is better than outright defeat in November.
"As our population has grown, our aging water infrastructure has continued to crumble beneath the weight of increased demand for this precious resource. No one knows this better than the people of our Valley. From farmers to farm worker families and Valley small businesses, we all rely on a stable supply of water to survive.
"Throughout history, our Valley has had to fight for water to protect our economy and children's futures. This year alone, we took on people who don't live in our Valley to secure the water we need to get by. We have made progress, but the economic viability of our Valley also depends on long-term solutions, not just yearly battles.
"The possibility of delay raises a number of questions. The biggest danger is granting Valley opponents more time to attack the bond and critical projects that will bring more water to our communities.
"While delay will not affect the initial implementation of the 2009 water package, our State cannot continue to kick the can down the road. For too long, the people of our Valley have been forced to do more with less. Year after year, we should not have to go toe-to-toe with extreme environmentalists and critics to our North to provide for our families.
"These are tough economic times, but a failure to deal with the long-term water challenges facing our state is not an option. Moving forward, I will continue to work at the federal, state, and local level to provide a more sustainable water supply for our Valley and California."
Costa is no stranger to bond measures that will benefit the Valley and State's water supply. While in the State Legislature, Costa authored and helped win statewide approval of three water bonds, which raised more than $2 billion to improve California's water system and provide for safe, reliable drinking water. The bond measures included Proposition 204 where he worked with a bipartisan coalition to create the benchmark Safe, Clean and Reliable Water Supply Act of 1996 that included restoration of the Bay Delta as well as groundwater recharge and flood control projects; and Proposition 13, the Safe Drinking Water, Clean Water, Watershed Protection and Flood Protection Bond Act that improved water quality, increased underground storage and repaired outdated water pipes and storage systems.
"Postponing this critical bond measure is frustrating to most of us who support the water package. However, the possibility of delay is better than outright defeat in November.
"As our population has grown, our aging water infrastructure has continued to crumble beneath the weight of increased demand for this precious resource. No one knows this better than the people of our Valley. From farmers to farm worker families and Valley small businesses, we all rely on a stable supply of water to survive.
"Throughout history, our Valley has had to fight for water to protect our economy and children's futures. This year alone, we took on people who don't live in our Valley to secure the water we need to get by. We have made progress, but the economic viability of our Valley also depends on long-term solutions, not just yearly battles.
"The possibility of delay raises a number of questions. The biggest danger is granting Valley opponents more time to attack the bond and critical projects that will bring more water to our communities.
"While delay will not affect the initial implementation of the 2009 water package, our State cannot continue to kick the can down the road. For too long, the people of our Valley have been forced to do more with less. Year after year, we should not have to go toe-to-toe with extreme environmentalists and critics to our North to provide for our families.
"These are tough economic times, but a failure to deal with the long-term water challenges facing our state is not an option. Moving forward, I will continue to work at the federal, state, and local level to provide a more sustainable water supply for our Valley and California."
Costa is no stranger to bond measures that will benefit the Valley and State's water supply. While in the State Legislature, Costa authored and helped win statewide approval of three water bonds, which raised more than $2 billion to improve California's water system and provide for safe, reliable drinking water. The bond measures included Proposition 204 where he worked with a bipartisan coalition to create the benchmark Safe, Clean and Reliable Water Supply Act of 1996 that included restoration of the Bay Delta as well as groundwater recharge and flood control projects; and Proposition 13, the Safe Drinking Water, Clean Water, Watershed Protection and Flood Protection Bond Act that improved water quality, increased underground storage and repaired outdated water pipes and storage systems.