February 23, 2018

Dear friend,

With another dry year and low Sierra snowpack, we're reminded of the importance of planning ahead. That’s why last week I spoke at a congressional hearing with the House Natural Resources Committee Subcommittee on Water, Power and Oceans about how we can bring more water storage to California – especially the Valley.

My New Water Available to Every Reclamation State Act (H.R. 434, the New WATER Act) would authorize a pilot project to help finance development of water resource infrastructure in reclamation states, like California. The bill encourages private investment in systems that serve the public interest by providing low-interest loans with a long repayment period. In order to be approved, projects must be capable of generating sustainable revenue streams, whether through user fees or other dedicated sources.

The New WATER Act, if signed into law, will provide a direct benefit to California ratepayers and help bring down the costs of major California water infrastructure projects. California alone has 12 projects being held up by Sacramento that could be helped by this legislation.

Jim Watson, general manager of the Sites Project Authority, testified that New WATER would increase water affordability: “On a project like Sites, which will add as much as 1.8 million acre-feet of off stream surface water storage north of the Sacramento – San Joaquin River Delta, greatly increasing the reliability of statewide water supplies for environmental, agricultural and urban uses, financing from the New WATER Act could drive down the cost of water by 20-25 percent or more.”

Click here or on the image below to see my comments (which begin at 1:35:31) or to watch the whole hearing.

Local ADA lawsuit follow-up
On the heels of the House passing of the ADA Education and Reform Act, this week I met with a Manteca small business owner who is a target of the same “drive-by” lawsuits that this bill aims to stop. He is being sued for $30,000 – at the same time that he is working to make the necessary updates. A payoff that big would force his business to close even after he makes the changes! It’s been very disappointing to see people and small businesses, especially minority-owned businesses that either can’t afford to hire a lawyer or may not be aware of laws that have been changed due to a language barrier, targeted by this type of frivolous lawsuit.

If you or someone you know has been targeted for these types of lawsuits, or if you are a member of the disabled community with experience on the other side of this issue, please send me an email or call 209-579-5458. I want to hear your stories.

My "jean-ial" visit to Patterson High School
The Patterson High School Denim Fan Club invited me to attend their meeting this week and enjoy some cake and conversation with the students. Thanks for having me out, guys and gals…this Denham enjoyed your Denim Fan Club meeting very much.

ICYMI: My Fox News interview about saving taxpayers billions
In case you missed it, FASTA is moving along. Under my bill, which was signed into law by Pres. Obama in December 2016, the General Services Administration has now digitized a database of over 300,000 federal assets – many of which sit vacant, unused or underutilized and could be sold to save American taxpayers upwards of $8 billion. The next step in the process is to position a seven-member Board to oversee these sales. I look forward to continuing this progress and liquidating these unnecessary government assets. Click here or on the image below to see my interview with Fox News’ Doug McKelway.

Upcoming Mobile District Office Hours
There are four Mobile District Office Hours (MDOs) taking place next week. For a full list of scheduled MDOs, visit the Upcoming Events section of my website.

Tuesday, Feb. 27 – Ripon
1-2 p.m.
Ripon Chamber of Commerce
104 South Stockton Ave, Ripon, CA 95366

Friday, March 2 – Manteca
10-11 a.m.
Manteca Chamber of Commerce
183 W. North Street #6, Manteca, CA 95336
*Held in conjunction with Assemblyman Heath Flora’s office.

Friday, March 2 – Waterford
2-3 p.m.
City of Waterford
101 E Street, Waterford, CA 95386*Held in conjunction with Senator Tom Berryhill & Assemblyman Heath Flora’s offices.

Friday, March 2 – Oakdale
3:30-4:30 p.m.
State Senator Tom Berryhill's Office
102 Grove Avenue, Suite B, Oakdale, CA 95361
*Held in conjunction with Senator Tom Berryhill & Assemblyman Heath Flora’s offices.

In the News
February 22, 2018
Central Valley Congressman Jeff Denham Promotes Water Storage at House Natural Resources Committee Hearing 
By Staff Reports, The Sierra Sun Times

February 21, 2018
U.S. Chamber honors Denham for pro-jobs effort 
By Glenn Kahl, The Manteca Bulletin

February 20, 2018
Denham introduces bill to assist Assyrian victims of ISIS in Iraq 
By Kristina Hacker, The Turlock Journal

February 20, 2018
House adopts Denham amendment as part of approved ADA reform bill 
By Staff Reports, The Ripon Advance

February 19, 2018
Immigration reform faces high hurdle in the House 
By Susan Ferrechio, The Washington Examiner

February 18, 2018
Editorial: Amtrak to NJ Transit: No safety system, no Penn Station 
By NorthJersey.com

February 16, 2018
Vacant federal buildings cost taxpayers billions 
By Doug McKelway, Fox News

Yours in service,

JEFF DENHAM