Legislators Need to Hear From You NOW

U.S. Sen. Dianne Feinstein and Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger last week unveiled a $9.3 billion water bond for the November 2008 ballot. The proposal was sent to legislative leaders to re-start negotiations on a comprehensive bond package.

Senate President Pro Tem Don Perata and Assembly Speaker Karen Bass have signaled their intent to focus on a water bond as soon as the state budget is finished.

With so few weeks remaining in the legislative session, it is VITAL that you contact your legislators NOW and urge them to move a comprehensive water bond package through the legislative process in time to appear on the November 2008 ballot.

ACWA believes the latest proposal from the governor and Sen. Feinstein is a reasonable compromise and will work for California. It is expected to be incorporated into a bill in the next couple of days. Sen. Perata has been upbeat about the prospects for agreement on a water bond, saying the parties are “close enough to do it.”

This cannot get done, however, without a massive show of support at the local level. Legislators must hear from their local water agencies that the situation is urgent and that a November 2008 water bond is imperative.

ACWA members are strongly urged to take the following steps ASAP to help move a bond package forward;

Steps to take:

1. Call your legislators IMMEDIATELY and urge them to move a comprehensive water bond through the Legislature in time for the November 2008 ballot. Follow up with a written letter through ACWA’s Outreach Action Center (sample letter included).

2. Notify ACWA of all contacts your agency has made. Send an e-mail to antonioa@acwa.com or fax a copy of your letter to the attention of Antonio Alfaro at 916-325-2306.

Dear [ Decision Maker ] ,

The Honorable (insert name of Assembly or Senate Member) State Capitol, Room __ Sacramento, CA 95814

SUBJECT: Comprehensive Water Package

Dear ________,

On behalf of (insert agency name), I am writing to urge your strongest support for a comprehensive water package this legislative session.

California is facing the most severe water crisis in recent history, and we need solutions today. The governor has declared a statewide drought, key species are in collapse, and court-ordered restrictions on water deliveries are creating serious challenges and widespread economic losses in many parts of the state.

In our area, (insert your local impacts here.)

These impacts are serious, and they are not going away anytime soon. Every day without a solution is another day of lost water supplies and further deterioration of the Delta ecosystem. It is critical that we move ahead with a comprehensive water bond package for the November ballot so solutions can get under way.

U.S. Sen. Dianne Feinstein and Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger have proposed water bond language for the November ballot. We believe the language will work for our area and the state as a whole, and we urge the Legislature to move as quickly as possible to put the package before voters in November 2008.

Recent polling indicates unprecedented public support for a comprehensive water bond this November, even with the state?s economic downturn. Fully 80% of voters agree we are in a water crisis that needs immediate attention, and nearly 60% reject the idea of waiting to deal with the issue at a future date.

We cannot overstate the importance of acting on a comprehensive water package in the remaining weeks of the legislative session. Without a solution this year, our water system will continue its downward spiral with even greater cost to species and jobs. We simply must move forward with a solution this year ? there is nothing more important to our economy and our environment.

Californians deserve a reliable water supply, and they are counting on their elected officials to take the actions necessary to ensure that our water system works for the economy and the environment. (Insert agency name) respectfully urges you to support a comprehensive water bond package for the November 2008 ballot.

Sincerely,

Campaign Launched:
July 15, 2008