Retail water districts would pay a new tax under proposed state legislation to fund water-related supply, environmental and recreation projects. The size of the tax has yet to be calculated, but it would be significant.
A hearing is scheduled May 4 for the bill, Senate Bill 34, in the California Senate’s Governance and Finance committee. Since the bill would impose a tax, it requires two-thirds approval by the Legislature.
SB 34 was introduced in the Natural Resources and Water committee by state Sen. Joe Simitian, D-Palo Alto. The influential legislator is perhaps best known as the author of California’s hands-free cellphone law. The water tax bill was approved April 12 by the committee on a 5-3 vote.
The Sacramento River Delta, showing the California Aqueduct (green) that brings water to Southern California. Adapted from map provided by Metropolitan Water District.
Simitian is offering SB 34 as an alternative to an $11.4 billion water bond measure the Legislature recently placed on the ballot for November 2012. The bill doesn’t specify the level of taxes but is expected to be revised later to do so.
Read the rest of my water tax story at the North County Times by clicking on this link.