UPDATE—Sen. Fran Pavley addresses the water district. SYLVIE BELMONDAcorn Newspapers A politically charged $11-billion water bond proposal that was deferred last year is likely to come back on the ballot, but state legislators don’t know when because they’re busy dealing with other pressing issues, state Sen. Fran Pavley (D-Santa Monica) said last week during a visit to the Las Virgenes Municipal Water District board of directors.

California legislators stalled the water bond, which would upgrade water infrastructure in the Bay Delta region, because they feared financially strapped voters would reject the proposal.

Opposition came from those who considered the bond to be pork barrel legislation aimed at pouring taxpayer dollars into wasteful construction projects.

Pavley said the water bond is needed but she and her colleagues in Sacramento have other priorities to deal with as they try to head off an anticipated $26-billion state budget deficit.

According to the senator, legislators have already made painful cuts to social services and public education, and more reductions are likely to occur if the economy doesn’t improve soon.

Therefore officials may have to reevaluate the timing and value of the water bond.

“Any change in that water bond, whether it’s split in half or reprioritized, requires a two-third vote from legislators. We have not yet heard the governor take a position on when this bond should go on the ballot,” Pavley said.

Although drought is not a threat this summer due to an abundance of rainfall last spring, Pavley reminded district leaders that water is still a precious resource in California.

“Like a bank account, you can’t drain the assets. You have to save for future years,” said the senator, who chairs the Natural Resources and Water Policy Committee.

Most of the water consumed in central and Southern California comes from the Sacramento Delta, which is mainly replenished by melting snow in the Sierra Nevada. The delta’s aging infrastructure is in need of structural improvements.

—Sylvie Belmond