Sacramento, CA - After three years of drought, California welcomed the rain and snow brought by four winter storms that slammed the state this week. California is entering its fourth year of drought in 2010 and state water officials cautioned that one week of heavy rain and snow was not enough.
I am optimistic with the rain and snow that we received this week, but our water challenges still remain, said Caballero. I would love to say that the drought is over but its too early to say that. The weather is so unpredictable that we cant rely on the rain to solve our water problems, Caballero added.
Assemblymember Caballero, co-author of the water package that was passed by the state Legislature and signed by Governor Schwarzenegger in November of last year, was invited by Congresswoman Grace F. Napolitano to be a witness in a hearing next week that is being held by the Subcommittee on Water & Power in Los Angeles. The congressional hearing intends to determine how Californias communities affected by the drought can best be assisted at the federal level.
I am honored to be part of this hearing and to speak on the water challenges that so many farmers and farm workers have faced over the past three years. According to the University of California, the federal restrictions on pumping water through the Delta have cost California more than 21,000 jobs and more than a billion dollars in economic losses, Caballero added. I am more than happy to participate and give my testimony to help bring federal aid for those who have lost their jobs and crops as a result of Californias water crisis.