January 6, 2022
The Honorable Gavin Newsom
Governor
1021 O Street, 9th Floor
Sacramento, CA 95814
Dear Governor Newsom:
The state budget is a reflection of our priorities. Water is a fundamental necessity for our residents and our economy; the upcoming release of your January Budget must include funding for water storage, conveyance, and flood protections.
The recent heavy rain, snow and storms have shown that California’s infrastructure is crumbling and unprepared to safeguard residents.
Now is the time to invest in needed water infrastructure – water storage, conveyance and flood protection.
Fully funding the already voter-approved Sites Reservoir will provide more space to store water from deluges. Higher levees and stronger flood protections will keep our neighborhoods and roadways safe. Repairs to the Friant-Kern and Delta-Mendota Canals and the California Aqueduct will guarantee maximum conveyance of precious water.
This critical funding will provide drinking water for nearly 40 million Californians, help maintain river flows, harden levees, strengthen flood plains, and provide water to produce the food we eat. The state experienced one of the wettest seasons on record in 2017, but because of the lack of water storage and conveyance, that water could not be efficiently stored. Now in 2023, more rain water is being wasted.
Once again, we implore you to prioritize funding for water storage and conveyance to move the water across the state, and much needed flood protection to safeguard our communities.
Sincerely,
Vince Fong
Vice Chair, Assembly Budget Committee
James Gallagher
Assembly Republican Leader