‘Why Aren’t We Prepared?’: California Republicans Slam Newsom for Prioritizing Climate Change Over Flood Preparedness

California Republicans attacked Gov. Gavin Newsom (D.) and the state’s Democratic leaders for failing to prepare for massive rainfall while pouring money into efforts to fight climate change.

“Instead of capturing rainfall and harnessing it, we are now underwater,” Juan Alanis (R.), Assemblyman, told reporters at a Press conference Following a string of storms that claimed 19 lives, many young children were also killed. The Republicans slammed Democrats for neglecting the state’s water infrastructure. They specifically pointed to California’s failure to implement a $7.545 billion water storage project mandated by voters in 2014 on a ballot bond initiative, the completion of which would have alleviated the present flooding and helped with storage for dry seasons. In 1980, the last dam was built in California.

Flooding can be particularly severe when heavy rains occur after a prolonged period of drought. With more heavy rains on the way, the Republicans questioned why state Democrats—who control all three branches of the state government and hold a supermajority in the legislature—hadn’t done more to prepare.

“We know this cycle occurs with regularity,” said Assemblywoman Diane Dixon (R.), referencing California’s history of cycling between droughts and floods. “Why aren’t we prepared?”

California Democrats are using storm damage to discuss climate changes. Newsom The “whiplash” From drought to rain “proof that the climate crisis is real.” Rep. Katie Porter (D. Calif.), has drawn flak for her announcement of her insurgent Senate race while her state struggles with natural catastrophe. She said that the flooding Shown The “urgency of addressing climate change.” Climatologists Say it it’s too soon to tell whether the storms were caused by climate change or merely another instance of California’s erratic weather patterns.

 Newsom trimmed funding to programs that could assist with flood mitigation or water conservation in his budget proposal, which he presented this week. Newsom did propose to keep $20 million for businesses to buy environmentally-friendly refrigerants and $2.1 billion to build vehicle charging stations in low income neighborhoods. He also proposed $65 million for the upcoming fiscal year. “decarbonization” Food production. Newsom also touted the state’s $738 million investment in flood management and dam safety, although 25 percent of that money has not yet been spent.

Republicans pointed out that while Democrats in the legislature worked with them to push flood controls and infrastructure projects, executive leadership and regulatory red tape had stalled progress.

“The governor speaks out about his big ideas, and how California can be better.