Delta Caucus urges legislative leaders to reject plan to fast-track Delta Tunnel Project

The California Legislative Delta Caucus on Thursday urged leaders of the California Senate and Assembly to reject Gov. Gavin Newsom’s proposal to fast-track the Delta Tunnel Project in the 2025-26 state budget.

In a letter to Assembly Speaker Robert Rivas, Senate President Pro-Tempore Mike McGuire, Assembly Budget Chair Jesse Gabriel, and Senate Budget Chair Scott Wiener, along with Gov. Newsom, all 15 members of the Delta Caucus noted that the costly and destructive Delta Tunnel Project “is opposed by every city and county affected by it.” 

“The bipartisan Delta Caucus is unanimous in strong opposition to the governor’s proposal to fast-track the Delta Tunnel, a $20 billion unaffordable project to be paid by ratepayers who are already struggling with the high cost of living in California. This project will destroy prime farmland, wreak havoc on the Delta region for a generation, and fail to solve the state’s water issues,” said Delta Caucus co-chairs, Sen. Jerry McNerney, (D-Pleasanton) and Assemblywoman Lori D. Wilson, (D-Suisun City.) “We call on the Legislature to quickly reject the governor’s proposal. California should instead pursue less costly and destructive alternatives, including fortifying Delta levees and increasing water recycling and groundwater storage.”

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