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Lawmakers Forage For Answers to Water Crisis

While lawmakers continue to grapple with the state budget, Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger is pushing his plan for more water storage. From Sacramento, Jenny O'Mara reports.

Lawmakers Forage For Answers to Water Crisis

While lawmakers continue to grapple with the state budget, Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger is pushing his plan for more water storage. From Sacramento, Jenny O'Mara reports.

Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger toured the San Luis Reservoir in Merced County. He noted it's at only 25 percent of capacity -- a result of drought conditions and the recent shut down of pumps in the Delta. He says pressure on supplies will only increase with a growing population.

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Schwarzenegger : All the way up to 60 million people by the year 2050. We don't have enough water.

In January, Schwarzenegger proposed a nearly six billion dollar plan that included funding for two new dams -- that was rejected by Democrats.

Senate President Pro-Tem Don Perata has countered with a bond that would distribute funding to local governments. He says that's a better way to determine needs.

Perata : We could tailor a bond that could provide state money to be leveraged or put together with local money.

Schwarzenegger is also pushing for restoration of the Delta including a canal to supply Southern California with drinking water.