Assembly Republican leader Mike Villines said Monday that he does not expect the Legislature to place a massive water bond measure on this year's ballot.
Villines, commenting at a news conference before the Assembly's first meeting of 2008, said that protecting and increasing the state's water storage and drinking supplies are vitally important.
But Californians are not likely to pass a massive water bond, and the state needs to focus first on fixing its structural budget deficit, he said. A $14 billion shortfall is projected this year.
"I'm open to the discussion," Villines said of a water bond. "There are members that feel strong about it. I feel strong about the need for water storage in California, and better water policy.
"But in terms of where we're at, that cannot be the priority. "We have to get our house in order and we have to get fundamentally financially secure. I think that's something we've got to do first."
Lawmakers, in recent months, have discussed the possibility of a water bond to raise more than $9 billion. Bipartisan support would be needed for the Legislature to place such a measure on the ballot.
Prospects for passage are uncertain because Californians are likely to see a protracted budget fight this year, and they might be asked to generate billions to expand health insurance, Villines said.
"I don't know that (voters) are going to jump up and say, 'Yes, we want to spend money for water,'" he said. "I think it's a very tough sell to Californians."
Villines said it may be possible for Democratic and Republican legislators to reach agreement on easing water problems, but only if the financial scope is reduced.
"It can't be as big as the bonds people are talking about," he said. "It just can't be."
On other issues, Villines, R-Clovis, said his 32-member caucus will not support raising taxes this year and will seek ways to improve education that do not cost money.
Villines said he will not push to alter Proposition 98, the voter-approved measure that gives education a sizable percentage of the state's general fund revenue.
"We do not want to affect school spending," he said. "We want to make sure we're spending the dollars better."
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