Governor Brown today delivered his State of the State address to lawmakers. Senate Budget Vice Chair  - Senator Jim Nielsen (R-Gerber) – issued the following statement:

“The State’s first priority must be saving money for the Rainy Day fund to ease the pain of budget cuts in an economic downturn. Programs that provide care to the most vulnerable Californians like Developmental Disability Services have not been adequately funded.

“To better serve people with developmental disabilities, I introduced Senate Bill 818, a bill similar to the one I introduced in Special Session last year. My commitment to make this funding permanent in the State’s General Fund is unwavering. 

“And I am so glad to hear that the Governor reaffirmed his commitment to build water storage. We must increase the state’s above-ground water storage.

“Conservation alone won’t get us out of this historic drought nor will it help get us through the next drought.

“Sites Reservoir is shoveled-ready to store up to 1.8 million acre feet of water.

“Planning for access to clean water is essential to the prosperity of future generations.”