Assemblymember Rudy Salas (D-Bakersfield) today urged support for a California Water Bond at a bipartisan press conference and rally on the steps of the State Capitol.
Salas contends that the bond, to be crafted by the State Legislature, must include critical infrastructure investments to ensure local and statewide water supplies now and into the future.
“We must choose to invest in water infrastructure now,” said Assemblymember Salas. “This isn’t just a Central Valley issue; this is an issue for all Californians. We are seeing the effects of inaction on a daily basis – we are seeing farms go fallow, we are seeing people lose their jobs. We need action.”
The event was organized by the California Latino Water Coalition, League of California Cities Latino Caucus, and the Nisei Farmers League. Hundreds of San Joaquin Valley residents gathered at the State Capitol to push for the water bond. The emphasis was on above-ground water storage, delta sustainability, and clean water for disadvantaged communities.
“This water bond and this drought declaration are vital for all Californians. If we don’t receive the water we need in the valley, that could mean 60,000 jobs that are lost,” said Assemblymember Salas. “That translates to 1.4 billion dollars lost from the state economy, and increased dependency on imported food.”