Ballot Proposal Would Divert High-Speed Rail Money To Water

SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP) - Two Republican lawmakers are proposing a ballot initiative that would ask California voters to redirect about $8 billion in bond money from the state's high-speed rail project to build water storage.

Board of Equalization member George Runner and Sen. Bob Huff of San Dimas said they filed language Thursday for the initiative.

It would also authorize shifting $2.7 billion in unspent water bond money to water storage construction and amend the state constitution to give drinking water and irrigation priority from California's limited water supply.

Runner and Huff say storing water for the future is a better use of billions in voter-approved spending than the $68 billion high-speed rail project.

The California High-Speed Rail Authority did not immediately respond to a request for comment.