Concerns over the Delta Conveyance Proposal dominated discussions at the Assembly Budget Subcommittee No. 4 meeting on May 15, 2025, as lawmakers raised alarms about potential financial implications. The proposal, which could cost between $20 billion and $100 billion, was described as a "blank check" for a public agency, prompting serious questions about fiscal responsibility.

One lawmaker expressed frustration over the lack of cost-saving measures included in the proposal, questioning how such a massive expenditure could be justified in the budget. "How you are proposing to put that in the budget?" they asked, highlighting the absence of clear financial oversight.

Additionally, the discussion turned to the Department of Water Resources (DWR) and its previous legal battles regarding bond issuance for tunnel-related work. The lawmaker pointed out that the DWR had lost a court case over its attempts to issue debt, suggesting that the current proposal might be an effort to circumvent that ruling. "How much debt will DWR issue? Do we know?" they queried, emphasizing the need for legislative approval before granting such authority.

The concerns were compounded by recent struggles to pass significant bonds for climate and education initiatives, with lawmakers wary of adding more debt without a clear plan for debt service. "If we don't have debt service to do important things like climate, how are we just giving an agency the ability to do unlimited debt service?" they questioned, underscoring the tension between ambitious infrastructure projects and fiscal prudence.

As the meeting concluded, the implications of the Delta Conveyance Proposal remained a hot topic, with lawmakers calling for more transparency and accountability in the budgeting process. The outcome of these discussions could significantly impact California's approach to climate resilience and resource management in the years to come.