The State Senate on Thursday confirmed the reappointment of Carol Baker for the California Water Commission, a politically appointed group that plays a key role in authorizing the spending of water bond dollars on infrastructure projects. Senate Republican Leader Shannon Grove of Bakersfield pushed for a “no” vote, arguing Baker was to blame over a decision against funding the proposed Temperance Flat Reservoir.
Under the Brown administration in 2018, the commission rejected a funding request for the project. Citing a low environmental feasibility score, Baker abstained rather than be the swing vote that allowed Proposition 1 funding from a 2014 ballot measure to go to the project, according to GV Wire.
“It costs a lot of farmers in the Central Valley water to be able to feed your constituents,” said Grove during the floor debate, adding that Baker’s confirmation “is not good for anybody.”
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Senate Majority Leader Bob Hertzberg of Van Nuys stood in strong support of Baker, referring to her years spent in the speaker's office as the chief policy consultant for natural resources and environmental protection.
