Spent Wednesday night watching the action on the State Senate floor on the new California water bond (thanks to Maven for the link). With Governor Brown signing the bill later that night, there is a new bond on the ballot replacing the $11.14 billion bond passed in 2009. The “fear of failure” led the Legislature to delay putting the large bond on the 2010 and 2012 ballots. What’s the new bond? Will the trimmed down version pass muster with voters? What did we learn about water politics and leadership in California? Continue reading
Category Archives: California 2014 Water Bond
Is Relying on the 2014 Water Bond To Help Fund California’s Bay Delta Conservation Plan A Good Bet?
Nope.
Rising debt burdens in California is a “headwind” for voter-approved water bonds. Given the crowd I roll with, this is conventional wisdom. I find unconvincing Department of Water Resources (“DWR”) discussion of bond funding for the conservation and restoration part of the BDCP. DWR simply believes that California voters pass water bonds by large majorities.
How does one choose between these two world views? Simply look at the very history of California water bonds found in DWR materials!
Based on the history of water bonds, the 2014 water bond has about 7-1 odds against passing. A smaller water bond would do better, but are not close to an even money bet. Time to seek counsel from a former Carmel mayor. Do you feel lucky . . .? Continue reading