Voters, CalChamber Agree: Support Water Supply/Storage, Rainy Day Fund

California voters this week overwhelmingly passed California Chamber of Commerce-supported Proposition 1, the water bond, and Proposition 2, the rainy day reserve measure.

CalChamber President and CEO Allan Zaremberg told The Associated Press that much like the inevitability of death and taxes, “in California we can talk about droughts and economic downturns.”

“We get shortages of water and shortages of government revenues for necessary programs,” Zaremberg said in a phone interview.

Zaremberg joined Governor Edmund G. Brown Jr. and Assembly Speaker Emeritus John A. Pérez in signing the ballot arguments in support of Proposition 2

Proposition 1

Proposition 1 overwhelmingly passed with 67% support. The $7.5 billion water bond includes significant funding for needed water storage projects and is the result of a historic bipartisan agreement.

Proposition 1 secures California’s water future, keeps family farms and businesses productive, and puts Californians to work building the new facilities needed to store, deliver and treat water.

Proposition 2

Proposition 2 passed, 69% yes to 31% no.

Placed on the ballot with bipartisan support, Proposition 2 forces the state to save money and requires politicians to live within their means and protect against unnecessary tax increases.

In good times, money will be placed in a constitutionally protected reserve and used to pay down debt. In bad times, the Rainy Day Fund can be used to protect schools, public safety and other vital services.

More Information

The latest election results are available at the website of the Secretary of State at www.ss.ca.gov.