California Senate Leader Will Miss $1 Billion Drought Relief Vote For Japan Trip
SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP) - The leader of the California Senate said Friday that he is traveling to Japan next week and will miss voting on a $1 billion drought-relief package he announced a day earlier.
Senate President Pro Tem Kevin de Leon announced that he and two senators will leave next Thursday for a 10-day trip to meet with Japanese government officials on transportation, clean energy and climate change.
Joining de Leon will be Senate Minority Leader Bob Huff, R-Diamond Bar, and Sen. Hannah-Beth Jackson, D-Santa Barbara. It's unclear if the two senators will miss the vote to fund water projects.
The trio will travel to various locations at the invitation of the Japanese government with the goal of promoting understanding and collaboration. Details of the trip are scheduled to be released at a later date.
All three lawmakers said taxpayers would not be charged for the trip. Instead, lawmakers are relying on either campaign or personal funds.
The Legislature is scheduled to begin spring recess at the end of next Thursday's session, but that's the day lawmakers plan to vote on legislation to accelerate more than $1 billion in water spending. Lawmakers will reconvene April 6.
Spokeswoman Claire Conlon said the travel had been previously scheduled to discuss key priorities for the senator. She said the leader's absence should not affect the vote's outcome.
Gov. Jerry Brown joined leaders from both parties in announcing drought relief efforts Thursday.
"We need to get the money out the door now for shovel-ready projects and existing water programs that only need funding to get started," de Leon said during the announcement. "No delay. No red tape."
Lisa Gardiner, a spokeswoman for Jackson, said the senator will make every effort to be at the vote. "She makes it a priority to be at every session and is concerned about the drought," Gardiner said.
De Leon will also travel to Washington, D.C., early next week.
He is scheduled to meet with Obama administration officials and discuss legislation he championed in 2012 to create the nation's first state-administered retirement savings program for private-sector workers. He will also meet with education advocates and speak on renewable energy.
Copyright 2015 The Associated Press.
