California is going into panic mode for a lack of water. The current three year drought is the third worst in over 100 years of California history and we all must be concerned. The bad news is that the water shortage has reached critical mass and Governor Brown is correct to sound the alert by enforcing prudent conservation practices. The fact that California is water fragile is no surprise, our history has had cycles of conflict with the water poor taking from the water rich to ensure water solvency for the large metropolitan populations. This drought is different, this drought is first of all about the rapidly wilting central valley agricultural economy that is making conservation practices necessary in our large water districts. (120)
The good news is that every recurring water crisis is a cyclical event, as is the weather. This crisis will resolve with the good fortune of rain or the state will implode to limp along into an uncertain future. The weather will change at some point and some weather outlets are forecasting that this may be an exceptional El Nino year. Because we have been here before, we the people must not panic by enacting self imposed bad policy, policy that only reduces the anxiety of our situation without resolving the crisis. (92)
Almost all of our politicians in Sacramento have united to put a 7.545 billion dollar bond issue on the November ballot for a vote by the people, claiming that it will resolve the water crisis. It is a thirty year bond or loan that will be paid off from tax revenues from the general fund estimated to cost all of us over $500 million dollars a year, let me repeat, for thirty years. Autumn Carter in the June 11 issue of California Common Sense, points out that the yearly revenue instability of California is a result of our state’s tax structure which is based on personal income. Revenue is up the last few years only because of stock market profits and no one believes this revenue stream will last thirty years. What if there is no rain in the next few years and the state experiences a decided and tragic downturn, what if more and more of our wealthy taxpayers move out of state because of liberal tax politics, who will make those 500 million dollars mortgage payments? (176)
The bond issue is a wise commitment and sacrifice if it actually solves the water crisis. Every voter, before the vote, should take a quick glance at the high points of the bond issue and ask themselves if this bond issue is a resolution of our crisis or an anxiety fix? It seems to be the opinion of everyone that this bond will not make this water shortage go away, nor will it greatly improve our long range water availability. How do we know? We know by the silence of our politicians and their water people who, to date, will not defend the bond issue against criticism. The silence is because the various water entities, special districts large and small, are afraid of offending their political enablers. It is in their best interest to go along to get along. (130)
Very simply the bond provides $2.7 billions for the construction of two reservoirs to service the central valley. These are worthy projects but they will not be in service for ten years and are subject to the inevitable cost overruns. Why should all Californians pay for these reservoirs that will only service the central valley and the agrarian economy? Also, there are other multibillion dollar water construction projects that will be left blowing in the wind. The remaining 4.85 billion dollars could become a huge slush fund to be distributed by politicians to benefit their political sympathizers. To whom the billions are directed will be a decision made in Sacramento regardless of what the general plan may say, shall we again trust our politicians? (118)
The answer is no on the bond issue. (9)
G.Goslaw
Landers, Ca
