striving for equity in public investments in water in california

Research Project | 2019

Striving for Equity in Public Investments in Water in California

In 2014, California voters approved a $7.5 billion bond measure to fund water quality, supply, and infrastructure improvements. Prop 1 included significant provisions to prioritize investments in disadvantaged communities. For this report, looking at Prop 1 spending midstream, we analyzed the $2.5 billion that had been assigned to projects as of April 2019 out of $7 billion of the bond funding that has been committed so far through budget appropriations. We analyzed how much of that funding is going to projects benefiting disadvantaged communities and technical assistance efforts to increase the capacity of those communities to secure funds and manage projects. 

Download the report here: UCLA Prop 1 Implementation Analysis 20190729

Download the press release here: Press Release on UCLA Prop 1 Implementation and Equity Report

Download a memo on recent polling about a potential new bond measure: Memo on Recent Polling Related to a Potential Bond Measure

Read an interview with author Jon Christensen at UCLA Newsroom: http://newsroom.ucla.edu/stories/prioritizing-equity-helps-ensure-poor-communities-receive-benefits-of-bond-measures

Read Christensen’s op-ed at Capitol Weekly: https://capitolweekly.net/why-california-needs-another-water-bond-in-2020/

Read stories about the report from Ethnic Media Services:  https://lasentinel.net/new-ucla-study-state-makes-progress-on-goal-to-guarantee-water-as-a-human-right.html and https://tntribune.com/lifestyle/health-wellness/why-water-now-flows-in-east-porterville-community-outreach-the-key/