Calvin M.
Posting # 2
Topic: Politics
Title of Article: U.S. House approves bill that would remake California water law
Author: Richard Simon and Bettina Boxall
Publication Name: Los Angeles Times
Date of Publication: 3/1/12
Main Idea:
On Feburary 29th the House of Representatives passed a bill which can wipe out environmental protection and drop reforms of federal irrigation policies that have irritated agriculture business in the Central Valley for a long time. Luckily the chances of that bill becoming a law are very slim, mainly because the White House has already issued a veto threat and has to be dealt with by the Democratic-controlled senate where two senators vowed to fight against it. Republicans argue that environmental regulations are taking away jobs from Americans. The bill is also known as the Sacramento-San Joaquin Valley Water Reliability Act. If this was to be passed, it would kill a settelment which has launched an ambitious river restoration project in the West. It would also destroy a 20-year-old federal law which set aside a big portion of federal irrigation supplies in California for environmental purposes.
Conclusion:
If the bill's was to pass, that will show the growing influence of Central Valley
Republicans after the GOP takeover of the House of Represenatives sicne last year. Opponents of the bill are warning that if Congress overrides state water law in California, it
can do the same thing any where else. The Republicans argue that the federal government already has a lot of control in the setting California water policy.
I disagree with this bill. It should not be made into a law because it would override California water laws that have been in place for 20 years. If this bill is allowed to pass, it demonstrate that the Republican's power in California could easily override water laws elsewhere. Also, the fact that the federal government already has a lot of control in setting the California water policy is bad. The state government should be taking charge of its own water policies. The federal government shouldn't be stepping in to tell a state what to do with its own water.
ReplyDeleteI disagree with the Republicans in that I believe the bill that would remake California water law could potentially destroy a 20-year old federal law which had set aside a large portion of federal irrigation supplies in California. If the bill was to become a law, it would kill a settlement which launched a project for river restoration in the West. The bill could wipe out environmental protection and drop reforms of federal irrigation policies. Fortunately, the bill is unlikely to survive the Democrat controlled senate, where both of California's senates have vowed against it, and its prospects of becoming a law are poor.
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