Sacramento, California - Today, Speaker Anthony Rendon (D-Paramount) entrusted Assemblymember Eduardo Garcia (D-Coachella), Chairman of the Assembly Committee on Water, Parks, and Wildlife to find a sustainable long-term approach to address clean, safe, affordable drinking water to meet the needs of all California.

Garcia is no stranger to these types of disparities; his district has historically battled underinvestment for essential clean water and wastewater infrastructure projects. Over the years, he has worked hand-in-hand with residents, nonprofits, and local government agencies to solve these issues collaboratively. AB 2060 (E. Garcia, 2018) that now awaits the Governor’s signature is a recent example of these efforts.

SB 5 (De León / E. Garcia, 2017), jointly authored by Garcia, recently approved by voters by way of Proposition 68, prioritizes the needs of disadvantaged areas and will make $540 million available for water projects. Through the Committee on Water, Parks, and Wildlife, Garcia conducted Proposition 1 oversight hearings, providing opportunities for transparency and public participation. He is prepared to do the same to ensure the just distribution of Proposition 68 funds.

The Assemblymember from Coachella has already demonstrated a longstanding track record of championing legislation to rectify inequities and uplift underserved communities suffering from a lack of necessary infrastructure. He has committed to working with the existing coalition of stakeholders, including both our local and statewide agricultural partners, water agencies, and nonprofit advocates to identify a comprehensive, sustainable approach to guarantee equitable access to this most precious resource.

Chairman Garcia has issued the following statement:

“All Californians, regardless of zip code deserve accessibility to clean, safe, affordable drinking water. Speaker Rendon has entrusted the Committee on Water, Parks, and Wildlife with the task of ensuring this. I commend the dedicated efforts of Senators Monning and Vidak, and I am looking forward to using the committee platform to collaborate with a diverse coalition of agricultural, water agency and nonprofit partners to advance a comprehensive, sustainable solution.”

“I understand all too well the challenges facing industries and residents across our state; the scope of my policy work has been rooted in helping my district, a predominantly rural underserved community, to address deep-seated infrastructure disparities. I will make it a point to ensure that equity remains at the core of our identified legislative solution.”