Governor Brown’s Revised Budget Invests in a Cleaner, Healthier California
SACRAMENTO (May 14, 2014) – The revised State Budget proposed by Governor Brown this morning and sent to the State Legislature would make use of California’s improved fiscal picture and apply much-needed funds to protect our air, land, and water, marking another milestone in California’s groundbreaking climate leadership.
Following is a statement by Ann Notthoff, NRDC’s California Advocacy Director:
“Once again, the Golden State has shown that we put our money where our mouth is. Our state leaders are connecting the dots - pairing precedent-setting environmental goals with the investments needed to reach them.”
“As we face the fourth consecutive year of record-setting drought, we must all – collectively – do everything we can to conserve and reuse water. Brown’s proposed budget makes major investments in real solutions to the drought, focused on water conservation in our homes and on our farms, green infrastructure and stormwater capture, water recycling, and good groundwater management. Importantly, it also includes disaster relief and other targeted funding to help farmworkers and disadvantaged communities as this drought continues.”
“The May Revise lines up nicely with the State’s climate policies to ratchet down carbon pollution. We’re already seeing that what’s good for the climate is good for California jobs and health, but we must do all we can to stave off the worst effects of climate change here at home. It will be important to ensure the State’s climate investments and policies are also geared to protect neighborhoods that having been bearing the brunt of pollution for years.”
BUDGET DETAILS:
The budget approves $2.2 billion for investments in clean energy and low carbon solutions from the cap-and-trade program, moving the state towards achieving the Governor’s goal to reduce carbon pollution 40 percent below 1990 levels by 2030. The budget proposed today also sets aside $2.2 billion to help the State make the most of our scarce water supplies, as California faces its most severe drought in more than 1,200 years.
The Governor’s spending proposals respond to the priorities of Californians: A recent NRDC commissioned poll found that drought and water shortages are top concerns in the state. Over 82 percent say current drought conditions in California are an “extremely” or “very serious” problem. Additionally, 71 percent support extending California’s goals for reducing carbon pollution with targets for greater reductions by the year 2030.