Most voters don't support Prop. 1's $15 billion debt for dams, agribusiness subsidies

No on Prop. 1 Poll: Majority of Voters Don’t Support $15 Billion Debt for Dams, Conservancies, Subsidies for Huge Agribusiness

Sacramento – Opponents of Proposition 1, the State Water Bond, today released results of a statewide poll finding that the $15 billion spending package for dams, bike trails in conservancies, and subsidies for huge agribusiness water-takers “has a tenuous path to passage.”

The poll of 600 likely November voters was conducted by the respected national firm of Lake Research Partners at the end of August. The survey found that Prop. 1 fails to attract majority support, with just 42% of voters saying they’d vote yes, 24% no, and 34% undecided.

No on Prop. 1 consultant Steve Hopcraft said, “Our findings show voters strongly doubt Prop. 1’s misplaced spending, and taking on billions more in debt. Voters understand that spending Prop. 1’s $15 billion on building dams that don’t pencil out, and funding bike trails and hiking trails, takes that money away from education, public safety and health care. Prop. 1 has already squeezed education by pushing a school construction bond off the ballot. Prop. 1 is the wrong investment.”

Lake Research Partners’ Joshua Ulibarri told a news teleconference “Proposition 1 is by no means a sure thing and has a tenuous path to passage. The proposition fails to meet the usual threshold for initial strength in polling, serious doubts can be raised among voters, and Prop. 1 faces opposition from credible messengers.”

“Voters are very concerned that Prop. 1’s cost is too high, much of the spending is misplaced, and spending on those things takes away funding from sustainable water investments, including fixing our leaking urban water systems, and squeezes funding from education and public safety,” said No on Prop. 1’s Barbara Barrigan-Parrilla. “Voters understand the State of California is a staggering $770 billion in debt, and Prop. 1 will add to that debt, costing taxpayers $360 million per year for the next 40 years. Passing Prop. 1 will expand our debt. Prop. 1 would build projects that will not solve our water problems, but will benefit wealthy agriculture corporations who want more access to California’s water. California taxpayers should not go into debt to build projects for billion-dollar farming conglomerates.”

For poll results, 9/5/14 media teleconference recording and more information
about Prop. 1’s flaws, please visit http://www.noonprop1.org/news-media-releases/

For Immediate Release: Friday, Sept. 5, 2014
Contact: Steve Hopcraft 916/457-5546; steve [at] hopcraft.com; Twitter: @shopcraft