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Acting Calif. Gov. McGuire Signs Bill Clearing Way for Nov. Ballot Measure on Water, Wildfire Prevention
Last week, Gov. Gavin Newsom appointed Senate Pro Tem Mike McGuire (D-Healdsburg) as acting governor while he traveled to Washington to support President Biden and travel with him on the campaign trail. In his capacity as governor, McGuire signed Senate Bill (SB) 867 that clears the way for a ballot measure to appear on the November ballot that connects communities with clean drinking water and protects residents from floods and threats of wildfires.
By Bo Tefu
California Black Media
Last week, Gov. Gavin Newsom appointed Senate Pro Tem Mike McGuire (D-Healdsburg) as acting governor while he traveled to Washington to support President Biden and travel with him on the campaign trail.
In his capacity as governor, McGuire signed Senate Bill (SB) 867 that clears the way for a ballot measure to appear on the November ballot that connects communities with clean drinking water and protects residents from floods and threats of wildfires.
“The safe drinking water and wildfire prevention bond will sustain and enhance the quality of life in the Golden State by providing communities the resources they need to protect themselves from the growing threat of wildfires and floods and help protect them from the impacts of extreme heat,” said McGuire.
If voters approve the ballot measure that is based on SB 867 — also known as the Safe Drinking Water, Wildfire Prevention, Drought Preparedness, and Clean Air Bond Act of 2024 — the State will provide up to $10 billion in funding to help communities avoid and recover from the harmful impacts of any wildfire, flood, and drought.
With the water and wildfire bond, the State is making one of the largest public funding investments in climate change resilience. McGuire views the bond measure as a critical investment.
As part of the climate bond agreement, California taxpayers are expected to pay back the bond with interest. Financial analysts estimate that the bond repayment will cost approximately $650 million per year over the next 30 years, costing taxpayers an estimated total of $19 billion.
According to the bond measure, the state is required to invest nearly half the funds in disadvantaged communities disproportionately impacted by climate change.
