As California copes with a fourth straight year of drought, Gov. Jerry Brown and legislative leaders on Thursday proposed legislation to accelerate more than $1 billion in water spending and urged residents to do their part to conserve during the worst drought in a generation.
The proposed legislation includes $128 million to ease water shortages in some communities; the financial struggles of unemployed farm workers; and dry conditions that contribute to wildfires. Nearly two-thirds of the funds would go to improve flood-control structures. Lawmakers said climate change is contributing to sudden floods, and flood protection protects drinking water supplies. The legislation is to come for a vote within a week and needs majority legislative approval. - AP