Obama’s Second Term and Water

Obama’s Second Term and Water

http://www.whitehouse.gov/about/presidents/barackobama

President Obama’s re-election victory in the November 6 general election is not likely to make any immediate significant difference in the federal water issues with which the Friant Water Authority and its member districts are dealing.

“The Obama administration and the Interior Department are thoroughly engaged on the San Joaquin River Restoration Program and the federal role in Bay-Delta issues,” said Ronald D. Jacobsma, FWA General Manager. “That doesn’t seem likely to change any time soon.”

He noted that although a few top administration officials are leaving, there has been no such indication from Interior Secretary Ken Salazar who oversees the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation, the Central Valley Project’s administrative agency.

President Obama’s likely margin of victory when presidential electors in December cast the ballots that count is expected to be 332-206 over Republican challenger Mitt Romney.

As of November 15, Obama had 62,615,406 popular votes to 59,142,004 for Romney.

Republicans retained control of the House of Representatives while Democrats held onto the reins in the Senate.

 

The central and southern San Joaquin Valley’s Congressional delegation gained one Republican as Assemblyman David Valadao of Kings County won in the 21st District. Democrat Jim Costa won after moving into the redrawn 16th District. Republicans Devin Nunes and Kevin McCarthy were easily re-elected, as was incumbent Democratic U.S. Senator Dianne Feinstein.

Perhaps the biggest surprise was the apparent Democratic win of super majorities (two-thirds) in the Legislature, meaning Republicans will be unable to block the majority on straight party-line votes on all issues.

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