As a proposed tax, the budget trailer bill would require a two-thirds vote by both the Assembly and the Senate in favor to pass.
Given the need to resolve this critical social issue as soon as possible, it’s understandable that supporters of the proposal are attracted to a new funding source.
But this problem can be solved without a tax on water.
There are better approaches.
A package of funds comprised of ongoing federal safe drinking water funds, voter-approved general obligation bonds – two of which are on the ballot this year – proposed assessments related to nitrates in groundwater that are already part of the legislation, and a limited amount of state general fund dollars already collected by the state makes sense.
The amount of general fund money needed for this alternative is less than one-10th of 1 percent of the governor’s proposed budget.
This funding package is a far more practical way to make safe drinking water accessible for all Californians, without burdening Californians with another tax.
Another alternative is the creation in state law of an irrevocable safe and affordable drinking water trust that would establish a perpetual source of funding.
Other viable alternatives include lease revenue bonds or allocation of a percentage of Cap-and-Trade funding for safe drinking water.
Join me in opposing a drinking water tax and supporting more appropriate alternative funding solutions.