Assemblymember Lois Wolk on the California Comprehensive Flood Protection Package Passed This Week

[courtesy of California Progress Report]

In the Democratic weekly radio address Assemblywoman Lois Wolk talks about the comprehensive flood protection package Assembly Democrats are sending to Governor Schwarzenegger to insure California’s do not face a similar disaster to the one that ravaged New Orleans following Hurricane Katrina two years ago.

Wolk says “There isn’t enough money in the world to just build our way out of this problem. We have to stop putting people in harm’s way. That’s why my Democratic colleagues and I have created landmark flood protection legislation that provides smart strategies for the 21st century using better planning, higher standards, and clearly-defined responsibilities for both state and local governments.”

Assemblyman Felipe Fuentes delivers remarks in Spanish.

You may listen to this in English or Spanish, or read the transcript below.

Hello, this is Assemblywoman Lois Wolk.

Two years ago, Hurricane Katrina devastated New Orleans.

Unfortunately, the same or worse could happen in California’s Central Valley.

That is why I and my fellow Democrats in the Legislature have put together a comprehensive plan to protect Californians from a major flood disaster.

Last year the Legislature put before voters a $5 billion bond measure to repair levees.

But there isn’t enough money in the world to just build our way out of this problem.

We have to stop putting people in harm’s way.

That’s why my Democratic colleagues and I have created landmark flood protection legislation that provides smart strategies for the 21st century using better planning, higher standards, and clearly-defined responsibilities for both state and local governments.

Our legislation will require local government to plan for flooding, prevent them from approving poorly planned developments, and hold them accountable if they put people and homes at risk.