Cthulhu
07-29-2014, 02:07 PM
State vs. City on what is more important, drought management or green lawns.
Government at its best.
CBS News is reporting (http://www.cbsnews.com/news/despite-drought-california-couple-in-trouble-for-not-watering-lawn/) on an unusual case in which a California husband-and-wife duo found themselves trapped between conflicting state and local regulations. With California suffering under an extreme drought, Governor Jerry Brown has asked residents to reduce their usage of water. In fact, this request recently took a mandatory tone as California’s State Water Resources Control Board approved (http://www.sfgate.com/science/article/State-water-board-expected-to-OK-500-a-day-fines-5623907.php) a measure penalizing those who refuse to cut back on water use with a $500 fine.
Glendora residents Michael and Laura Korte, concerned about the drought like many other Californians, opted against watering their lawn in an effort to conserve water, causing their grass to turn brown. However, on the same day that the state government announced that those who over-water their lawns will face a $500 fine, the Korte household received a notice from Glendora’s city government requiring them to green up their lawn in 60 days or else face penalties. According to CBS News, Michael Korte said, “…the penalty was fines of $100 to $500 and criminal prosecution, whatever that means.”
Essentially, city regulations on the appearance of lawns are coming into direct conflict with an emergency state rule aimed at dealing with an unprecedented drought. If Michael and Laura Korte comply with city regulations and water their lawn until the grass turns green again, they could face a $500 fine from Jerry Brown’s state government. If they comply with state rules and refuse to water their lawn, they could face a $500 fine and criminal prosecution by Glendora city officials.
Damned if you do, and damned if you don't. The end result of two government entities thinking and making policy on the same topic.
Government at its best.
CBS News is reporting (http://www.cbsnews.com/news/despite-drought-california-couple-in-trouble-for-not-watering-lawn/) on an unusual case in which a California husband-and-wife duo found themselves trapped between conflicting state and local regulations. With California suffering under an extreme drought, Governor Jerry Brown has asked residents to reduce their usage of water. In fact, this request recently took a mandatory tone as California’s State Water Resources Control Board approved (http://www.sfgate.com/science/article/State-water-board-expected-to-OK-500-a-day-fines-5623907.php) a measure penalizing those who refuse to cut back on water use with a $500 fine.
Glendora residents Michael and Laura Korte, concerned about the drought like many other Californians, opted against watering their lawn in an effort to conserve water, causing their grass to turn brown. However, on the same day that the state government announced that those who over-water their lawns will face a $500 fine, the Korte household received a notice from Glendora’s city government requiring them to green up their lawn in 60 days or else face penalties. According to CBS News, Michael Korte said, “…the penalty was fines of $100 to $500 and criminal prosecution, whatever that means.”
Essentially, city regulations on the appearance of lawns are coming into direct conflict with an emergency state rule aimed at dealing with an unprecedented drought. If Michael and Laura Korte comply with city regulations and water their lawn until the grass turns green again, they could face a $500 fine from Jerry Brown’s state government. If they comply with state rules and refuse to water their lawn, they could face a $500 fine and criminal prosecution by Glendora city officials.
Damned if you do, and damned if you don't. The end result of two government entities thinking and making policy on the same topic.