Southern California 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 aimed at the November 2008 ballot.

ACWA has taken a support position on the proposed package, and intends to work vigorously for its passage in the remaining weeks of the legislative session. The package offers the right mix of funding for local resource development, Delta sustainability and infrastructure improvements to comprehensively address the state’s water challenges. More so than any other water bond in recent years, it provides funds for long-term improvements to the state’s backbone infrastructure while at the same time funding investments in water use efficiency, recycling and other local strategies to improve water supply reliability.

The need for a comprehensive water bond has never been more urgent. California is in the midst of a serious water crisis, and we need solutions today.

The package is expected to be incorporated into a bill in the coming days. Both Senate President Pro Tem Don Perata and Assembly Speaker Karen Bass have said they intend to focus on a water bond as soon as the state budget is finished.

Success will not be possible, however, without a massive show of support – especially from Southern California. 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.

It is particularly important that legislators from Southern California hear that message. ACWA is urging its Southern California members to contact their local legislators and tell them a November 2008 water bond is imperative for the state’s economy and its environment.

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

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 (see sample letter).

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

Dear [ Decision Maker ] ,

On behalf of (insert agency name), I am writing to urge your strongest support for the comprehensive water bond proposed by U.S. Sen. Dianne Feinstein and Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger for the November 2008 ballot.

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.

We believe the bond language proposed by Sen. Feinstein and Gov. Schwarzenegger is a balanced package that will comprehensively address the challenges facing our area and the state as a whole. 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 18, 2008