The drought response proposal is part of Newsom’s California Comeback Plan, a $100 billion investment to help the state recover from the effects of the coronavirus pandemic. The plan includes expanded tax rebates for two-thirds of Californians and aid for qualified, low-income residents in paying back rent and overdue utility bills.
The proposed drought investment would spread the $5.1 billion out over four years, and aligns with Newsom’s July 2020 Water Resilience Portfolio, which the announcement describes as “a roadmap to water security for all Californians in the face of climate change.” The investment is shaped by lessons the state learned during the 2012 to 2016 drought, according to the official announcement.
