Free Republic

There's no money in either bond measure to fix California's deficient and decrepit water infrastructure or to provide new water to fix California's chronic water shortage Droughts are naturally occurring; water shortages are government-created and political. Examples of this can be found in every water bond in recent history, put on the ballot by politicians, and passed by emotional voters. California voters will be facing two more ballot initiatives claiming to be water bonds this year, totaling $13 billion. But the overall cost will be much higher for taxpayers. One water bond is on the June 5 ballot and a...

Sacramento - -- The $11 billion water bond that California voters will be asked to approve next year contains nearly $2 billion in earmarks that lawmakers candidly acknowledge were included in the proposal to win the votes that were needed to pass the plan out of the Legislature. More News * Dems, GOP split on NY trials of alleged terrorists 11.15.09 * Pelosi exhibits leadership, protects colleagues 11.15.09 * Tower of films to recall Alcatraz takeover 11.15.09 * Three Questions For: Mary McCue / Guardian of public space 11.15.09 Hundreds of millions of dollars of those earmarks - which some...

With the budget passed, the water wars are back. Focus is returning to California's seemingly perennial struggle to find a solution to its water woes. On Friday, Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger issued a formal drought proclamation, a move to raise awareness of the state's water shortage. Last Thursday, Sen. Dave Cogdill, a Modesto Republican, introduced a water bond bill (SB 371) after similar efforts stalled last year. Sen. Dean Florez, the No. 2 Democrat in the house, introduced a counter measure (SB 301). Even the federal government is getting involved. Secretary of the Interior Ken Salazar and Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack...