$1 BILLION STATE DROUGHT-RELIEF EMERGENCY BILL PROPOSED

The State Governor and lawmakers proposed a $1 billion in drought-relief spending yesterday, money that could be used to increase the Inland-area water supply by recycling, capturing stormwater and cleaning up groundwater. The two bills include $128 million to ease immediate impacts of the drought such as dry wells, job losses and wildfires. It also accelerates nearly $1 billion in bond funding for water projects. Nearly two-thirds of the funds in the package would go toward flood-control projects, Lawmakers said the projects can indirectly help boost drinking water supplies in the future. Distribution of bond money typically takes years, but the legislation by Gov. Jerry Brown and legislative leaders would speed that up considerably.