Villapudua, Legislative Leaders Strike Deal to Protect the Delta

SACRAMENTO – Assemblymember Carlos Villapudua (D-Stockton) released the following statement today after a budget deal was reached to protect the Delta from a dangerous tunnel proposal.

“A budget proposal at the 11^th hour to streamline the massively controversial Delta Tunnel Project was inappropriate from the beginning,” said Assemblymember Villapudua. “Working tirelessly alongside leaders in the Assembly and Senate, we ensured this was the first thing taken off the table when negotiations began. I’m grateful we were able to get to a place that helps cut unnecessary red tape for important projects while continuing to protect the fragile Delta ecosystem.”

In May, the Governor released an Infrastructure budget proposal to expedite the planning and construction of water projects around California. This included a dangerous plan to reduce oversight and ease the construction of a Delta Tunnel that would decimate surrounding communities and the Delta’s ecosystem at large.

Assemblymember Villapudua led a bipartisan, bicameral effort to formally and publicly oppose this attempt to unjustly streamline the Delta Tunnel Project as negotiations got underway. After many grueling discussions with leaders from the Assembly, Senate, and Administration, Villapudua’s successful efforts helped finalize a deal to exclude the Delta Tunnel Project from any proposed streamlining.

SB 149 received unanimous support on the Assembly Floor today.