Schwarzenegger moves to pull water bond measure

 The SF Chronicle looks at the decision. This appears to be political reality, as the state is broke and the public is in no mood to spend more money on a complicated infrastructure bill. But delays of this type are often the first sign of a doom for measures like this. The bond measure will only get more expensive in the future - and probably more complicated.

The Delta is in need of action now and any delays in repairing levees, protecting declining fish populations and finding a solution to delivering a reliable water supply south is troubling and short-sighted.

One surprise: I always thought Schwarzenegger wanted the water bond and the accompanying infrastructure projects as his lasting legacy as he leaves office. Next year (or later) it will be the next Governor's issue.

Where the $ for the water bill are going

The $11 billion water bill is a lot of money, but to understand how much it really is and where the money is slotted to go, read this article in the Bee. Stunning amounts and something for virtually every player in the California water power game.

And here's a cool Google map from KQEDhealth.

Major Water Bill Passes, Huge Fight Ahead

An $11 billion bond initiative will go to the voters next November. Expect an epic California political battle: north vs. south, coastal vs. inland, enviros vs. farmers, water districts vs. water districts. The total package may top $40 billion.

Schwarzenegger wants this as his legacy project and will fight very hard for it as he goes out the door next year. He's also pledged to build the peripheral canal, a huge battle within the battle. And this water package is sure to be a big issue in both the Governor and Senate races.

I'll post some of the analysis as it becomes available. Here's coverage from the NYT and LA Times on passage of the package.

Delta Blues will cover many of these issues. Look for it in early 2010.

Huge bond plan to revamp state water system

This piece in the SF Chronicle rolls out the effort by Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger and Sen. Dianne Feinstein for a bipartisan plan to solve the state's water woes. It seems to have a taste for everyone on all sides of the storage, irrigation and environmental issues, but at $9 billion is it realistic?