Senate Republicans Welcome Emergency Drought Regulations, Urge Caution Against “Manipulating the Crisis”

“California’s lack of rainfall, coupled with the inability over the last several decades to expand our desperately needed water storage capabilities, has led us to this moment in history. Senate Republicans agree that we all must do our part to reduce water consumption in California.  That said, we urge the governor and legislative Democrats to work with us in the bipartisan spirit promised at our recent press conference.  This crisis should not be manipulated to impose new emergency powers that would violate the personal and constitutional rights of California families.   Let’s make sure we’re doing all we can to conserve our water so that we have what’s necessary for our families, our farms and our environment.

“Republicans have been fighting for more water storage for years so that we could capture rain during the wet seasons in order to offset the dry summer months.  The Proposition 1 water bond passed by voters last year included $2.7 billion for water storage. The Legislature must clear the way to ensure those funds are ready when it’s time to break ground on two new reservoirs that will help  provide a reliable water source to all of California for future generations.”

Senator Huff serves as the Senate Minority Leader and represents the 29^th Senate District covering portions of Los Angeles, Orange and San Bernardino Counties. Follow Senator Huff on Twitter @bobhuff99.