Yuba-Sutter Farm Bureau (YSFB) Directors recently voted to support and align with the position taken by California Farm Bureau Federation’s (CFBF) 2014 Voter Guide. Following is information provided by CFBF on Propositions 1, 2, 45, 46, 47 and 48.
Voters will have the opportunity to invest in new water storage for the first time in 30 years when they head to the polls on November 4. Proposition 1, or the Water Quality, Supply and Infrastructure Act of 2014, dedicates $7.5 billion to fund water related projects and programs, replacing a larger $11.14 billion bond that had been postponed from appearing on the ballot in 2010 and 2012.
Years of hard work by stakeholders, including Farm Bureau, came to a head at the end of the legislative session as legislators from both sides of the aisle and the Governor came to agreement on a bond that actually invests in the state’s broken water system. This will be the first bond in many years that focuses on water supply and reliability.
Farm Bureau had four goals when negotiating a bond package. Those goals included funding for:
- Water storage that was continuously appropriated,
- Disadvantaged communities to deal with drinking water solutions,
- Local entities to assist with groundwater management and
- Protections for area of origin water rights holders.
Proposition 1 addresses each of these areas and specifically includes $2.7 billion in continuously appropriated funds for water storage projects. Having funds continuously appropriated ensures these projects will move forward as future legislatures will not be able to redirect the funding to other uses or otherwise delay these projects. In addition to new surface and groundwater storage projects, funding from this bond may also be used for regional water reliability, sustainable groundwater management and cleanup, water recycling, water conservation, watershed protection and safe drinking water, particularly for disadvantaged communities. Unlike the storage aspect, funding for these projects will have to be approved by the Legislature.
A complete Voter Guide is available at www.yubasutter.cfbf.com. Here is the full list of CFBF and YSFB ballot recommendations:
| Proposition 1 – Water Bond | YES |
| Proposition 2 – Budget Stabilization Account | YES |
| Proposition 45 – Health Insurance Rate Changes | NO |
| Proposition 46 – Medical Malpractice Damages Cap Increase | NO |
| Proposition 47 – Criminal Sentences and Misdemeanor Penalties | NO |
| Proposition 48 – Indian Gaming Compacts | NO |
The Yuba-Sutter Farm Bureau (YSFB) is a non-governmental, non-profit, voluntary membership California Corporation whose purpose is to protect and promote agricultural interests throughout Yuba and Sutter counties, by representing over 1,250 local YSFB members.