“When God doesn’t provide the water, it’s not here,” the governor said, as he toured the World Ag Expo Wednesday in drought-weary Tulare. “But we are changing regulatory rules; we’re going to make it as best we can given some very tough circumstances.”
Brown said the needs of California’s northern, central and southern regions often conflict – which makes it hard to find water policies that satisfy the entire state.
“If Tulare was California, we’d have a very different situation,” Brown said. “But Tulare is part – not just of California, but the country with all its federal laws and rules and judges and everybody else. So look, if anybody can get it done, I can get it done, and I am working night and day to achieve that.”
The governor is expected to return to the Valley on Friday, when President Obama visits Fresno to discuss the drought.
State's Arts Council Wants More Money
The California Arts Council is asking for five times as much state funding as it gets now.
It’s backing a newly-introduced bill by state Sen. Ted Lieu (D-Torrance) that would set aside $25 million a year from the state’s general fund. The council’s budget once topped $30 million, but has dwindled to just $5 million a year for much of the last decade.
Council Chair Wylie Aitken told a legislative committee Wednesday that even though the new money would just be a small step forward, it would be significant.
“We’ll take that step and make it become a leap and make that spark and that seed produce incredible results for California and frankly for the humanness that resides in all of us,” Aitken said.
Jerry Brown established the California Arts Council in the 1970s, during his first stint as governor. Brown’s Department of Finance declined comment on this measure, but he’s repeatedly warned lawmakers against new spending despite the state’s budget surplus.
Related Stories
Climate change whiplash could mean more flooding, water-management challenges in California
January 28, 2022Last year, California saw everything from intense drought to torrential rain. Researchers and water agencies say that the future of the state’s drought depends on adapting to these shifts.
Winged warning: Migrating birds hit hard by California’s drought
November 11, 2021As the drought dries up California’s wetlands, traveling birds such as ducks, geese and eagles are struggling to survive and breed. “This drought is bad. The odds are against us,” a state expert said.
Water Shortages: Why Some Californians Are Running Out In 2021 And Others Aren’t
June 23, 2021Drought resilience depends on location but also extraordinary engineering — determining which California places are running out of water this year and which remain in good shape.
As Drought Intensifies, State Warns Users To Stop Pumping Water From Major Rivers
June 17, 2021About 4,300 users were issued notices to halt diversions from the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta.
California’s Reservoirs Face Dangerously Low Levels
June 5, 2021Experts say the current drought is hotter and drier than previous ones, meaning water is evaporating faster.
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.
