California Budget Should Include Investments for Water and Communities

SACRAMENTO, CALIF. – Gov. Jerry Brown today released release a revised state budget, reinforcing fiscal conservatism and highlighting investments in affordable housing, strengthening transportation infrastructure and fighting climate change. 

Following is a statement from NRDC’s California Legislative Director Victoria Rome:

“Thanks to Gov. Brown’s leadership, California’s economy and budget are healthy again. Now we need to spend those funds in the right ways, and that includes protecting our natural resources and our residents. Cities and neighborhoods are relying on the governor and the legislature to work together to invest climate revenues in clean energy and clean transportation projects for communities right away.

“The budget should also prioritize funds to continue combatting one of the state’s biggest threats: drought. The reality of climate change is that hotter, drier weather will become the new normal. So California needs investments in water efficiency and recycling‎ to help us cope with current drought and the next, while also maintaining healthy rivers and estuaries.”  

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The Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC) is an international nonprofit environmental organization with more than 2 million members and online activists. Since 1970, our lawyers, scientists, and other environmental specialists have worked to protect the world's natural resources, public health, and the environment. NRDC has offices in New York City; Washington, D.C.; Los Angeles; San Francisco; Chicago; Bozeman, Montana; and Beijing. Visit us at www.nrdc.org and follow us on Twitter @NRDC.