Machado tries to restart water talks
Sen. Mike Machado, who has been the Senate Democratic point man on water issues, has announced new water bond legislation aimed to jumpstart stalled negotiations with Republicans.
The proposal, a $6.8 billion water bond, is being billed as a new starting point for discussions.
The bill, announced by Machado's office late Thursday, was accompanied by a statement from Sen. Dave Cogdill, the lead Republican negotiator on water issues as well as the newly elected Senate GOP leader.
"I look forward to continuing to work with Senator Machado on a new proposal that acknowledges widespread interests in funding for new water storage, both surface and groundwater, along with other sorely needed water funding," Cogdill said in the statement. "We’re ready to roll up our sleeves and work across the aisle with the goal of passing a comprehensive bond."
Machado, in a brief interview, said, "I think what we both realize is there is a need to move forward with water."
Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger called a special session on water in 2007, but legislative Democrats and Republicans could not agree on a package. Whether to include dams, termed "above-ground storage" in Capitol-speak, was a key sticking point.
There is still no deal on that key component. "What we are doing is having a discussion over all the issues," Machado said.
As for talks with Cogdill, Machado said, "I have expressed a willingness to him to better understand his perspective and he has expressed a willingness to better understand mine, as the representative of a district that represents the Delta."
The bill, SB X2 6, will be in print on Friday. It contains $2 billion for "water supply reliability," $2.4 billion for Delta sustainability, $1.08 billion for clean water and pollution clean-up, $1.1 billion for clean beaches, groundwater protection and water quality, and $250 million for water recycling, according to a fact sheet provided by Machado's office.
Poster Comment:
Don't forget to join the California Ping list.