The Senate and Assembly today approved a major water package that includes an $11 billion bond that must be approved by voters.
“The agreement would implement a strategy that includes conservation, storage facilities, recycling and Delta protection measures,” said Senate Republican Leader Dennis Hollingsworth of Murrieta.
The package of bills approved today included Senate Bill X7 2, the Safe, Clean, Reliable Drinking Water Supply Act of 2010, authored by Sen. Dave Cogdill, R-Modesto, who serves as vice chair of the Senate Natural Resources and Water Committee.
“Today’s historic agreement is the most significant step that the state has taken in decades to invest in its crumbling water infrastructure. Nothing is more important to the state’s economic prosperity than ensuring that we have water to meet California’s needs now and into the future. With this plan, we can improve the state’s water supply and protect the environment, without destroying our economy,” said Sen. Cogdill.
“This agreement also delivers on the expectation that California taxpayers have for lawmakers to put aside partisan differences to achieve common sense solutions that benefit the entire state,” added Cogdill. [Cogdill Release] [Hollingsworth Release]
Senator Cogdill audio #1 (117kb mp3)
Senator Cogdill audio #2 (108kb mp3)
Senate Republican Leader Dennis Hollingsworth, of Murrieta, responded today to the Tax Commission’s report on changing California’s tax structure.
Yesterday the commission on the 21st Century Economy released its final report and recommendations on ways to update and improve California’s out-dated revenue system and make it more reflective of our state’s economy. The Commission’s charge was to suggest ways to modernize California's out-of-date revenue laws in order to improve the state's economic competitiveness and to reduce the revenue volatility that has led to the state's feast-or-famine state budget cycles.
“The tax system we have now is too dependent on a small number of people. When they are successful, revenues are good, when they’re not, they plummet. That, combined with the absence of any spending discipline whatsoever creates these chronic shortfalls. Californians need jobs. If we are ever to get people back to work, we must reform the process to create jobs and grow the economy. I look forward to reviewing the Commission’s recommendations carefully to see if they do that,” said Hollingsworth. [Press Release] [Radio Address Transcript]
Senator Hollingsworth Sound Clip (393kb mp3)
Senator Hollingsworth Radio Address (658kb mp3)
Senate Republicans rejected a Democrat plan which would release dangerous criminals back into California neighborhoods to ease overcrowding, stating that no one should be given early release because of the state’s inability to manage its prison system.
The Democrat proposal would facilitate the early release of thousands of so-called “non-violent” criminals from state prisons. GOP lawmakers pointed to the fact that criminals convicted of a myriad of troubling crimes would qualify as “non-violent” criminals eligible for early release under the Democrat plan, including such crimes as human trafficking, stalking, solicitation to commit murder, identity theft and elder abuse.
Senate Republicans also noted that under the majority party’s legislation, a convict need only be present to automatically be awarded credits for every day served discipline free – even if the inmate refuses to participate in any education, work, or rehabilitation program. There would no longer be any motivation for a prisoner to take steps to improve his/her ability to survive crime free on the outside.
Senate Republicans joined law enforcement and victims’ groups in rejecting the proposal and stating that it isunconscionable and bad public policy to consider early release to merely save money.
[Full Release] [Audio Clips]
Leg Counsel Mockup of AB 49 - Water Conservation (PDF)
After seven months of workgroups and hearings, Democrats release a draft of one part of the conference report less than 24 hours before an expected rush to vote.
Republicans continue to push for a comprehensive solution to the state's water problems.
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