A Legislative Victory as Water Bill Passes the California Senate

In the post below, Shelley Moskowitz, UUSC's manager for public policy and mobilization, gives an update on human-right-to-water legislation in California.

We did it! In a cliff-hanger vote, A.B. 685 [Bill Text], our human-right-to-water bill, passed the California State Senate! Thanks to coordinated action in the Capitol and mobilization in the field, we won a 22-15 victory. As the day began, we had reports of serious scare tactics used by the opposition to try to peel off support for our bill.

We were one vote short when the vote was about to be called. Senator Rubio — a key swing vote — walked off the floor, perhaps in an attempt to avoid taking a public position. Our partner Community Water Center responded immediately by flooding Sen. Rubio's Sacramento office with calls and drove several cars full of residents to his district office to urge his support. Ultimately, it was Senator Rubio who cast the final winning vote! The next step in the legislative process is for the Assembly to concur with the Senate bill (usually pro forma, but still an opening for the opposition) which could happen early next week. Then it is on to the governor's desk.

Thanks to everyone who has kept the human right to water flowing towards justice! I can't even begin to tell you how happy, proud, and teary-eyed I am to be part of this sweet victory and how grateful I am for our team at UUSC and across California. Please lift a glass of water in celebration tonight! 



Voice your support for the human right to water by signing UUSC’s statement today.