New Water Bond Proposal

Sacramento, CA – Yesterday, Governor Jerry Brown unveiled his drought relief legislation, and now two Republican Assembly members have offered an additional proposal.

Assembly Republican Leader Connie Conway, of Tulare, and Mother Lode Assemblymember Frank Bigelow, R-O’Neals, announced their plan today. It would provide funding for water storage, groundwater, Delta restoration, water quality, and drought relief projects statewide.

District 5 Assemblymember Bigelow says, “The people that I represent in my district are bearing the economic brunt of the drought, and are demanding action from Sacramento to get us off this roller coaster of water uncertainty. Solving our short and long-term water problems are key to protecting California’s economic well-being.”

Assembly Bill 2043 would authorize the sale of nearly $8 billion in general obligation bonds.

Here is Conway and Bigelow’s proposed list of what the money would fund:

• $3 billion for water storage, including potential surface storage projects such as the sites and Temperance Flat projects (should they be approved)


• $1 billion for groundwater protection and water quality


• $1.5 billion for Delta sustainability


• $1.19 billion for regional water supply reliability


• $395 million for drought relief, wastewater treatment, and safe drinking water


• $1.05 billion for water recycling projects and advanced water treatment technology