Skip to content
CapRadio

CapRadio

listen live donate
listen live donate
listen live
donate
  • News
    • News

    • State Government
    • Environment
    • Health Care
    • Race and Equity
    • Business
    • Arts and Lifestyle
    • Food and Sustainability
    • PolitiFact California
    News
    • News

    • State Government
    • Environment
    • Health Care
    • Race and Equity
    • Business
    • Arts and Lifestyle
    • Food and Sustainability
    • PolitiFact California
  • Music
    • Music

    • Classical
    • Jazz
    • Eclectic

    • Daily Playlist
    Music
    • Music

    • Classical
    • Jazz
    • Eclectic

    • Daily Playlist
  • Podcasts & Shows
  • Schedules
  • Events
  • Support
    • Support
    • Ways to support
    • Evergreen Donation
    • One-Time Donation
    • Corporate Sponsorship
    • Vehicle Donation
    • Stock Giving
    • Legacy Giving
    • Endowment Support
    • Members
    • Member Benefits
    • Member FAQ
    • Member Newsletter

    • Fund drives
    • Drawing Winners
    • Thank You Gifts
    Support
    • Support
    • Ways to support
    • Evergreen Donation
    • One-Time Donation
    • Corporate Sponsorship
    • Vehicle Donation
    • Stock Giving
    • Legacy Giving
    • Endowment Support
    • Members
    • Member Benefits
    • Member FAQ
    • Member Newsletter

    • Fund drives
    • Drawing Winners
    • Thank You Gifts
  • About
  • Close Menu
 We Get Support From:
Become a Supporter 
 We Get Support From:
Become a Supporter 
  • State Government
  • Environment
  •  

New Brown Drought Proposals: Larger Penalties, Faster Environmental Reviews

  •  Ben Adler 
Tuesday, April 28, 2015 | Sacramento, CA
Listen
/
Update RequiredTo play audio, update browser or Flash plugin.
Andrew Nixon / Capital Public Radio

Gov. Jerry Brown announces his latest proposals in response to the drought at the state Capitol Tuesday, after meeting with mayors of 14 California cities.

Andrew Nixon / Capital Public Radio

If you’re caught wasting water in California, the most you can be fined right now is $500
a day. Governor Jerry Brown wants to raise the maximum penalty 20 times that amount – to $10,000 per water violation.

He also wants to give cities, counties and water agencies the authority to issue fines without going through the courts.

“I don’t like to increase penalties too much,” Brown told reporters after meeting with mayors Tuesday at the state Capitol. “But they have to be appropriate. And I think this is what – we’re finding that we needed some more, and that’s what we’re doing.”

The governor is also directing state agencies to expedite their environmental reviews of local water projects.

“We’re pushing the law,” Brown said. “Put it this way: We’re pushing as far as we can within the confines of the legal structure.”

That, he can do on his own. The water penalty proposal will require legislative approval. Lawmakers approved his previous drought proposal within a week. This time, the governor’s office says it’ll likely wait for the state budget, which won’t be voted on until mid-June.

Legislative responses to the governor's proposals:

“California cannot fine our way to a water supply.... California has not built water storage in over 40 years. It’s time to stop with the Band-Aid fixes and streamline water storage projects so we can capture water in wet years and prevent water crises for future generations.”
- Assembly Republican Leader Kristin Olsen

“It’s clear local governments need additional enforcement tools to help them to further increase conservation and to crack down on water wasters, and the Governor’s announcement helps provide those tools.  Given the emergency we’re in, I look forward to working with my colleagues, the Governor and local leaders as we examine the details of specific proposals and how those projects might be facilitated.”
- Assembly Speaker Toni Atkins

“There is no question that California is facing a drought crisis and it’s incumbent on all Californians to be responsible with how they use water. Senate Republicans understand the need for temporary measures to conserve the supply of water we have left. Yet at the same time we call on this Governor to prepare for the future by supporting the new storage projects Californians so desperately need.”
- Senate Republican Leader Bob Huff

Senate President pro Tem Kevin de León's office declined comment Tuesday.

 


Follow us for more stories like this

CapRadio provides a trusted source of news because of you.  As a nonprofit organization, donations from people like you sustain the journalism that allows us to discover stories that are important to our audience. If you believe in what we do and support our mission, please donate today.

Donate Today  

    More about drought

  • State Of Drought

    Reservoir levels are at historic lows, municipalities are ordering mandatory conservation and farmers are bracing for water shortages. CapRadio is following how Californians are being impacted by the drought.

 drought

Ben Adler

Director of Programming and Audience Development

Director of Programming and Audience Development Ben Adler first became a public radio listener in the car on his way to preschool — though not necessarily by choice.  Read Full Bio 

Sign up for ReCap and never miss the top stories

Delivered to your inbox every Friday.

 

Check out a sample ReCap newsletter.

Thanks for subscribing!

Thank you for signing up for the ReCap newsletter! We'll send you an email each Friday with the top stories from CapRadio.

Browse all newsletters

More State Government Stories

Kevin Dietsch/Getty Images

Rep. Adam Schiff announces 2024 Senate run, teeing up a high-profile primary

January 26, 2023

Andrew Nixon / CapRadio

Republican plan would outlaw homeless camps near California schools or parks

January 26, 2023

Photo by Martin do Nascimento, CalMatters

California reparations task force aims at more than dollars, seeks policies to prevent harm

January 27, 2023

Most Viewed

California coronavirus updates: Judge blocks California law preventing doctors from spreading COVID-19 misinformation

4 storylines to watch in this weekend's NFL conference championship games

The city of Memphis releases videos of Tyre Nichols' arrest and beating

10 new California laws that go into effect in 2023

Behind The I-80 Castle: A Drag-Racing, Beauty School Mogul’s Dream House

We Get Support From:
Become a Supporter

Most Viewed

California coronavirus updates: Judge blocks California law preventing doctors from spreading COVID-19 misinformation

4 storylines to watch in this weekend's NFL conference championship games

The city of Memphis releases videos of Tyre Nichols' arrest and beating

10 new California laws that go into effect in 2023

Behind The I-80 Castle: A Drag-Racing, Beauty School Mogul’s Dream House

Back to Top

  • CapRadio

    7055 Folsom Boulevard
    Sacramento, CA 95826-2625

    •  
      (916) 278-8900
    •  
      (877) 480-5900
    •  Contact / Feedback
    •  Submit a News Tip
  • About

    • Mission / Vision / Core Values
    • Stations & Coverage Map
    • Careers & Internships
    • Staff Directory
    • Board of Directors
    • Press
  • Listening Options

    • Mobile Apps
    • Smart Speakers
    • Podcasts & Shows
    • On-Air Schedules
    • Daily Playlist
    • Signal Status
  • Connect

    •  Facebook
    •  Twitter
    •  Instagram
    •  YouTube
  • Donate

  • Listen Live

  • Newsletters

CapRadio stations are licensed to California State University, Sacramento. © 2023, Capital Public Radio. All Rights Reserved. Privacy Policy | Website Feedback FCC Public Files: KXJZ KKTO KUOP KQNC KXPR KXSR KXJS. For assistance accessing our public files, please call 916-278-8900 or email us.