Measure S protects clean water supply without raising taxes
Expect the unexpected. That’s one key lesson learned in 2020. When it comes to ensuring safe, reliable drinking water we cannot take any chances. A safe, reliable water supply is crucial to sustain our economy, our environment and our quality of life.
Measure S provides the consistent, sustainable funding for Santa Clara Valley Water to continue to provide safe clean, water for future generations. Measure S upgrades outdated, seismically unsafe pipelines and dams that deliver water countywide, and strengthens a water supply system that is vulnerable to earthquakes and drought. Measure S removes toxins, pollutants and contaminants that threaten our creeks, streams and local water supply, and includes funding to clean up homeless encampments, in partnership with local social service agencies. Measure S provides natural flood protection badly needed in flood-prone neighborhoods.
Measure S continues work that’s already being done, like creek restoration, shoreline protection, environmental cleanup and habitat restoration. These projects have been essential to protecting our communities and threatened wildlife habitat from extended drought, increased pollution and climate change.
We cannot afford to lose this critical funding if we expect to continue to address these community issues. It is shortsighted to think that this work or these issues are short term — they are long term; so the funding to address them must be too. Only if we invest long term with sustainable funding can we guarantee that there will be no disruption in public services that we all depend on to thrive — and that’s what Measure S does.
Every penny from Measure S will be spent locally to protect our drinking water supply for future generations. Measure S requires independent citizen oversight and audits to ensure funds are spent as promised. Measure S also provides an exemption for low-income seniors.
Measure S is a local measure to help solve local issues. Recently, Gov. Gavin Newsom vetoed legislation that would have expedited the critically needed Anderson Dam Seismic Retrofit Project. The governor’s veto underscores that we cannot rely on the state to protect our local water supply. We must act ourselves to secure our future. Measure S provides local funds that can’t be raided by state government.
We also know we can’t count on scarce federal funding for large flood protection projects, nor can we count on the federal government when it comes to solving climate change issues. We have to take the reins ourselves and problem-solve locally.
We cannot pay attention to the few critics who contend we should wait four or even eight years for Measure S to begin solving these problems. Our homes are flooding now. Our water infrastructure and supply are aging now. We are facing the impact of climate change now. We cannot further delay important planning for long-term projects, which will cost more the longer we wait. We must act now.
Measure S doesn’t increase taxes — it simply renews existing local funding we’ve relied on for 20 years. The last renewal in 2012 was approved by 74% of voters. This funding is desperately needed for the long-term fight in our valley to protect our water. Threats of drought, earthquakes, flooding and climate change are permanent. Measure S is a long-term solution for projects we desperately need. Kicking the can down the road (or sitting idly by as some would suggest) does nothing to help solve the problems we face today.
Join us and other local residents, environmental groups, labor, business leaders, and elected officials by protecting our water supply for future generations.
Vote yes on Measure S.