Here is an interesting article on Prop 84. I think you will all find this interesting with the recent decision of the Budget Committee on suspending MLPAI funding and potentially backfilling it with Prop 84 funds. This article explains a lot.


Support Proposition 84
Posted on: Wednesday, 25 October 2006, 15:00 CDT
MONTEREY, Calif., Oct. 25 /PRNewswire/ -- Emphasizing the power of California voters to clean up polluted water sources and protect beaches, bays and ocean waters, Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger today urged passage of Proposition 84 -- the Clean Water and Coastal Protection Bond Act of 2006, which has gained the largest coalition of supporters of any measure on the November statewide ballot. The Governor was joined by ocean and water leaders at the Monterey Bay Aquarium to highlight successes achieved during the past three years to protect natural resources but to also call attention to the overwhelming need for additional investments required to protect California's water supplies, beaches, bays, parks and open spaces.
The $5.4 billion bond measure, on the November statewide ballot, would provide critically needed funds to ensure the availability of safe drinking water, improve local water supply reliability, strengthen flood protection, and preserve California's natural landscapes, including parks, lakes, rivers, beaches, bays, ocean and coastline.
"This initiative invests in making sure our beaches are protected, our water is safe to drink, and our communities are secure from flooding. I ask all Californians to join me in rebuilding our state by supporting Proposition 84," said Governor Schwarzenegger.
"Today, more than 60% of rivers and streams tested in California are so polluted they violate federal clean water standards. This pollution threatens our sources of drinking water, poisons fish and wildlife, and ultimately contaminates our coastal waters. Proposition 84 will make significant investments to improve these conditions," said Michael Mantell, Campaign Chairman for Proposition 84. "Governor Schwarzenegger has been a proven and successful leader on natural resource issues but much more work remains and Proposition 84 will help California effectively tackle those challenges."
Proposition 84 provides more than $1.5 billion for safe drinking water, water quality and water management programs, and unprecedented funding -- $540 million -- to help maintain the health of our coastal waters and clean up coastal storm water contamination.
Specific funding categories include: * $240 million for Safe Drinking Water; * $1.285 billion for Integrated Water Management and Water Quality; * $800 million for Flood Control; * $65 million for Statewide Water Planning and Design; * $928 million for Protection of Rivers, Lakes and Streams; and * $540 million for Beaches, Bays and Coastal Protection.
"The health of California's ocean and coastline is at serious risk from pollution that damages marine ecosystems, threatens ocean wildlife and the health of beachgoers, and hurts ocean-related economies like tourism and fishing. Proposition 84 addresses all the top ocean conservation priorities of the Monterey Bay Aquarium, and will ensure that California remains a national leader in protecting critical ocean resources," said Julie Packard, Executive Director, Monterey Bay Aquarium.
"Local water agencies are on the front lines of the fight to protect our families' drinking water. This is an opportunity for Californians to partner with them in that fight," said Randy Fiorini, President, Association of California Water Agencies. "Proposition 84 provides more than $1.5 billion for safe drinking water, water quality and water management programs that will be shared with every region in California."
"Governor Schwarzenegger took an unprecedented step to protect our ocean with the establishment of the Ocean Protection Council in 2004," said Tim Eichenberg, Pacific Region Director, The Ocean Conservancy. "Proposition 84 will make that vision a reality, providing critically needed funds to protect and improve our ocean and coastal ecosystems, habitats and species."
California is facing enormous population growth in the coming years, with 25 million new residents expected by 2040. This dramatic increase in population makes preparing for the future an imperative issue. California's investment in infrastructure is not keeping pace with its population growth.
Proposition 84 ensures strict fiscal accountability by including yearly independent audits and a Citizens Oversight Committee. The measure does not raise taxes or create a new state bureaucracy. Instead, it funds existing state programs and will be administered by existing state agencies and departments.
More than 700 bipartisan leaders and organizations support Proposition 84, making it the largest coalition of any measure on the November statewide ballot. Current supporters include U.S. Senator Dianne Feinstein, League of California Cities, Western Growers Association, Association of California Water Agencies, California Chamber of Commerce, and the California Coastal Coalition. More information on Proposition 84 and a full list of supporters can be found at http://www.yeson84.com/
Yes on Prop 84
CONTACT: Colleen Haggerty of Yes on Prop 84, +1-818-784-1222, or cell,+1-626-893-4510
Web site: http://www.yeson84.com/

Source: PRNewswire