Nov. 4th Election: ‘The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly’: the ugly being no water measure; Jeff Kightlinger of MWD comments

From the California Planning Report, an article about three bond projects, one good, one bad, and one UGLY – ugly because it didn’t happen – the water bond. Jeff Kightlinger from Metropolitan Water District comments:

The UGLY (No Water Bond)

This summer, Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger and Senator Dianne Feinstein proposed a compromise plan to update California’s water system by increasing storage, improving conveyance, protecting the Delta’s ecosystem, and promoting water conservation. Given such bipartisan recognition of a water crisis and the need for an immediate solution, why isn’t there a state water bond on the November 4th ballot?

Jeff Kightlinger, General Manager MWD: The proposal from the governor and Senator Feinstein was a very good proposal. It was balanced and fair. There were also a number of legislative proposals that were quite similar in scope that had some tweaks and changes, but by and large, they were similar. Logic would have said we should be able to get together and find a consensus on one of these bonds. There were a number of reasons we didn’t. One of those reasons was the budget impasse. It became hard to work on water in addition to the budget. The fact that we couldn’t put together a budget until 70 or 80 days late had a definite impact on the water bond.

Another major reason was that some felt it was premature. We know we have a water crisis and a need for water infrastructure; we know we need a water bond and we need the financing for those water projects. However, the governor had launched the Delta Vision project, which is due to come out with a report in October 2008. I think there was some reluctance to put together a bond that was going to deal with Delta issues and move it forward when the Delta Vision’s final report hasn’t yet been released.

Read more from Jeff Kightlinger in the California Progress Report by clicking here.

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