News articles and links from January 23, 2014

Water Supply

Boehner comes to Kern to pitch water bill

From: Lois Henry, Bakersfield Californian

House Speaker John Boehner dug his shiny loafers into a swath of powder dry Kern County dirt on Wednesday and promised to move quickly on legislation aimed at easing the pain of California's historic drought.

Speaker Boehner visits California for drought bill  

From: Scott Smith, AP

House Speaker John Boehner visited a dusty California field on Wednesday, joining Central Valley Republicans to announce an emergency drought-relief bill to help farmers through what is certain to be a devastating year.

Speaker Boehner working to turn Delta pumps back on

From: Jessica Peres, KFSN TV 30, Fresno

House Speaker John Boehner stood with Central Valley congressmen to throw his support behind legislation aimed at temporarily stopping restoration of the San Joaquin River, which would ultimately send water from the Delta's pumps into the Valley."

Editorial: A Speaker Boehner runs through it

From: Editorial, Sacramento Bee

House Speaker John Boehner stopped by California on Wednesday, claiming he wanted to open the spigot for drought-stricken farmers, while doing a little rainmaking for the National Republican Congressional Committee amidst the lush, irrigated golf courses of Palm Springs.

Congressmen push to ship more Delta water

From: Alex Breitler, Stockton Record

In a sign of increasing political pressure to address California's drought, south San Joaquin Valley congressmen on Wednesday said they will introduce legislation to ship more water out of the Delta and temporarily block plans to restore the San Joaquin River.

Water Bond

Gov. Brown Talks Water Concerns in State of State Address

From: California TV News

Gov. Jerry Brown laid out his assessment of California in the annual State of the State address in Sacramento. Some local leaders who've reacted to the speech say water is the most relevant issue to the Central Valley right now.

"I was glad to see that in his speech. He did put a priority on dealing with the drought, which is obviously the most immediate and serious issue that's hitting us in 2014," says Mario Santoyo, executive director with the California Latino Water Coalition.

Transfers

Oakdale Irrigation District sets closed session to discuss water sale

From: J.N. Sbranti, Modesto Bee

The Oakdale Irrigation District has warned area farmers the drought will shrink water deliveries this year, but OID directors will meet behind closed doors today to discuss options for selling some of Oakdale's scarce water supply for big bucks to agencies outside the region.