Dry weather points to need for water policy

We are extremely disappointed in Gov. Jerry Brown and his lack of vision regarding California’s future. He seems to be throwing away the state’s future for a short-term gain in tax revenues.

And, the governor’s lack of support for a statewide water policy should have all California residents upset and his father deeply disappointed.

On Thursday, the Governor Jerry Brown said the planned November water bond vote might need to be delayed. The governor has said he does not want any other tax measures on the November ballot so his sales tax hike has a better chance to win voter approval.

However, Gov. Moonbeam has said he supports going ahead with the selling of bonds for the High Speed Rail project that is wrought with problems, lies and would add a billion dollars to the general fund, basically eating up any gains from his tax measure.

On Thursday, the governor said he wants the Legislature to authorize billions more in bond sales to fund the state’s bullet train, but suggested lawmakers consider moving a $12-billion water bond off the November ballot.

It appears the Governor feels train tracks are more important than water for his citizens. Where has he been the past two months when the Golden State has been the Dry State. The lack of rainfall the past 60 days, if anything, should have convinced the governor to fast-track his water policy and the bond measure, not delay it indefinitely.

We are growing tired of the pea and shell game with taxes. It is obvious the governor and his Democratic buddies only see the dollar signs a tax measure will bring them so they can continue their pet projects. We predict that even if the tax measure passes in November — and we encourage voters to reject that plan — that more cuts to education and public safety are in California’s future because the Legislature still has not found a way to curb its huge appetite for spending taxpayers’ dollars on their pet projects rather than on things that are truly needed in this state — more water storage, a solution for the Bay Delta and more water for farmers and domestic users.

A good example of that lack of fiscal restraint. Just last week the governor appointed three people to head up the state Consumer Affairs department at a total cost to taxpayers of more than $400,000 a year. Could he had left at least one of those top administrative positions vacant.