California Governor Jerry Brown Announces $687 Million Drought Proposal
On Wednesday afternoon, California governor Jerry Brown and other state executives announced emergency legislation that would provide $687 million to support workers and communities directly impacted by the drought.
“This is a call to action. We must all do our part to conserve in this drought,” said Governor Brown during the press conference. “The state is doing its part by providing immediate funding for drinking water, food, housing, and assistance for water-conserving technologies.”
Senate President Pro Tem Darrell Steinberg and Assembly Speaker John A. Pérez joined Governor Brown during the announcement.
The legislation increases funding to help communities with efficiency upgrades and fire risk areas. The funds also include $1 million for the Save Our Water public awareness campaign which encourages Californians to conserve water.
Approximately $549 million of the money will come in the form of funds from Proposition 84 and Proposition 1E, while $20 million will go toward water use efficiency.
Although the funds won’t solve the drought, they will surely provide some relief for farmworkers across California while also making much-needed improvements to the state’s water system.
California Governor Jerry Brown
