AB 500 (Huber) just misses...
I attended the reading of the bill this AM at the capitol. I was the one with the Carharts, tennis shoes, 3-day beard.
Mrs. Huber did a great job and put up a super-legit argument that was echoed and built upon by several on the Water, Parks and Wildlife Comittee. Huffman, the comittee chair summarized the need to have some kind of "look-back" before an [export community-driven project] that will cost $$billions is put to work. Near the end, several staff walked out during the 5- to 5-tie, one of them voting from his office, the other returning with a "no" after reviewing lanquage within the bill. "We tried", mused a still upbeat Huber as the chamber emptied with a 7- to 5-vote defeat.
The complaints from Westlands and (I believe) Metropoliotan water seemed to convey that this is a done deal and these things were decided after riggorous review two-years ago and don't deserve the added cost of legislative examination. They said "it" (whatever it is) passed easily two years ago. During counter-testimony from Huber and others, it was revealed that the bill passed by one (1) vote at 5:00AM and that it's pretty hard to think straight at that time of the day.
One of the lady's on the comittee lamented that she does not want to see "food lines" in one of the major farming regions, and that there is currently 40% unemployment there, 80% of which is Hispanic.
And you should have seen the line of suits "against"-- at least 15, including Westlands, labor union, farm agencies, water agencies, counties, etc. And this was a third of the parties listed that were against the bill. It reminded me of the movie "AIR PLANE" when everyone lined up to smack a panicy passenger. They just kept'a coming!
A writer friend with inside knowledge confided to me that they pretty much knew they were going to lose this round, so look for another run on this later. But it was close. One of the comitte members choked on on small provision that Huber was willing to remove. Once that was done, something else made him flinch-- "language".
It is indeed... David, fighting Goliath.
When all else fails, put down the pole and swim with the dog.
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