ACTION ALERT:
It’s Time to Stop the Joint Legislative Budget Committee
Hearing Rescheduled for 9/11!

AB 2649 has died at the end of the legislative session, thanks to your efforts to stop it. Had it passed, the bill would have sunseted the requirement to hold the JLBC meeting to proceed with the State Water Project contract extension and its unfinished, uns­­­­­een amendments related to the Delta tunnels project.

Unfortunately, what would have been a second win for Delta advocates, has been interrupted by news that the JLBC hearing has been rescheduled for September 11, 2018. That means it’s time for us to stop it from meeting from happening prematurely for the third time.

MEETING DETAILS:

WHO: Joint Legislative Budget Committee

WHAT: A hearing for Department of Water Resources (DWR) to present information regarding the terms and conditions of the proposed water supply contract extension and amendments, including specific language regarding California Waterfix (aka Delta Tunnels) project

WHEN: Tuesday, September 11th, 2018, 10:00 a.m

WHERE: John L. Burton Hearing Room (4203),  925 L St, Sacramento, CA 95814

In the meantime, we must aggressively call three key state legislators: Senator Holly Mitchell, President pro Tempore of the State Senate Toni Atkins, and Speaker of the Assembly Anthony Rendon. These legislators will decide if California should OK a 50-year blank check water contract that would clear yet another path for the Delta tunnels.

Your call could have an enormous impact. Staffers will be tallying the calls they receive.

Call key these state legislators making this decision today. Here’s how:

1. Call Senator Holly Mitchell, Chair of the Joint Legislative Budget Committee: (916) 651-4030 Sacramento Office; or (213) 745-6656 Los Angeles Office;
2. Call President pro Tempore of the State Senate Toni Atkins: (916)651-4039 Sacramento; or 619-645-3133 San Diego Office;
3. Call Speaker of the Assembly Anthony Rendon: (916) 319-2063 Sacramento Office; or (562) 529-3250 Lakewood Office;
4. Tell these key decision makers:

“Your upcoming decision on the State Water Contract will impact taxpayers and our water throughout the entire State of California. I urge you to delay the informational hearing until all information regarding financing of the Delta tunnels has been provided to the legislature and public input can be given. It is irresponsible that legislators are expected to make an informed decision without access to contract amendments and no idea what the cost impacts would be for taxpayers and water ratepayers.”

Supporters of the tunnels do not have the full funding for the multibillion billion project approved yet, but they want the State Legislature to allow them to extend a key water contract for 50-years as a way to stick Californians with the project for good. But the legislature hasn’t even been provided a full copy of a proposed contract on the tunnels or a basic financial analysis!

Once they hold this final hearing, they give up ALL legislative oversight on changes to the state water contract that will be in effect for the next 50 years. This contract change provides state water contractors a virtual blank check with no Legislative oversight on future projects like the tunnels.

If you’ve been with Restore the Delta for a while, you know that wins for the Delta can be far and few between and are often quickly interrupted by another attack—that’s the nature of this fight. That’s the narrative for a bunch of underdogs fighting against the state’s most powerful elite.

Though first and foremost Restore the Delta’s mission is to fight for a clean, swimmable, drinkable, fishable, and farmable Delta our fight has become much bigger than establishing good water management in California. Our fight has expanded into one for due process and transparency. Thank you for fighting with us.