Central Valley = The New Death Valley

I find it a bit ironic that the State of California has a major self-inflicted financial wound that is fixable, and yet refuses to do so. The former Guvenator turned off the major source of water to the Central Valley to protect a non-native fish, the Delta Smelt. The water has been used by farmers in the central valley to grow annual crops as well as fruit/nut bearing trees. Almond, pistachios, grape orchards, that take years to grow, were killed since protecting this fish is more important than growing food.

So how does this help California's perpetual budget problems? Simple, growing crops, fruits, and nuts generate sales, which generates taxes. Then someone needs to employs workers to plant, harvest, and process the crops. This in turn generates income taxes from the wages of the employees. All of these taxes would help reduce (possible eliminate) the budget problem. So does Governor Moonbeam start the water flowing? Nope!!!

One more thing, another person has suggested the people behind this decision are sacrificing the Central Valley to "save" the Bay Area. Diverting the water through the Delta, increases the flow to the San Fransisco Bay. That additional volume help with the processed sewage that is pumped in to the Bay. It reduces the bacteria count and therefore "improve" the water quality in the Bay.