Governors Actions: Administration Boosts Emergency Drought Funding & Gov. Makes Judicial/ Other Appointments

Image by Gage Skidmore

Newsom Administration Boosts State Funding for Drought Emergency

SACRAMENTO — After California recorded its driest January and February in more than 100 years of records in the Sierra Nevada, Gov. Gavin Newsom’s administration announced March 13 it is spending an additional $22.5 million to respond to the immediate drought emergency.

The additional $22.5 million allocation includes more funding for the Department of Water Resources, State Water Resources Control Board and the California Department of Food and Agriculture.

More than a third of the money – $8.25 million – will be used to increase outreach efforts to educate Californians on water conservation measures and practices. The funds requested are part of a comprehensive effort by the Newsom Administration to increase water conservation.

On March 1, the survey of the state’s snowpack showed levels were dropping sharply after robust storms in December. Current snowpack readings are about one-third below average. The Department of Water Resources is analyzing the latest snowpack data and has indicated it may revise its current forecast for State Water Project deliveries in 2022.

The Save Our Water campaign is securing partnerships with retailers and other organizations to urge Californians to reduce water use in the immediate term and also make permanent changes to landscaping to build resilience in the long-term.

Details: Save Our Water

Gov. Newsom Announced the Following Judicial Appointments for Los Angeles

Nicholas F. Daum, 47, of Los Angeles, has been appointed to serve as a Judge in the Los Angeles County Superior Court. Daum has been a Partner and Associate at Kendall Brill & Kelly LLP since 2009. He was an Associate at Susman Godfrey LLP from 2004 to 2009 and served as a Law Clerk for the Honorable Raymond C. Fisher at the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit from 2003 to 2004. Daum earned a Juris Doctor degree from Yale Law School and a Master of Arts degree in History from the University of California, Berkeley. He fills the vacancy created by the retirement of Judge Anthony J. Mohr. Daum is a Democrat.

Bradley S. Phillips, 68, of Los Angeles, has been appointed to serve as a Judge in the Los Angeles County Superior Court. Phillips has been a Partner at Munger, Tolles & Olson LLP since 1984 and was an Associate there from 1979 to 1983. He served as a Law Clerk for the Honorable William Matthew Byrne, Jr. at the U.S. District Court for the Central District of California from 1978 to 1979. Phillips earned a Juris Doctor degree from Yale Law School. He fills the vacancy created by the retirement of Judge John A. Torribio. He is a Democrat.

Gov. Newsom Announced the Following Appointment

SACRAMENTO — Gov. Gavin Newsom March 4, announced the following appointment:

Gail Willis, 59, of Los Angeles, has been appointed to the State Personnel Board. Willis has been an educator and mathematics prevention/intervention specialist for the Los Angeles Unified School District since 1996. She was Southern California special assistant at the California Department of Insurance from 2016 to 2018. She is a member of the California Teachers Association and vice president of the Southern Los Angeles Area Planning Commission. Willis earned a doctor of philosophy degree in educational leadership, administration and public policy and a master of arts degree in education from Pepperdine University. This position requires Senate confirmation and the compensation is $52,794. Willis is a Democrat.