By Steve Price / CBS8 / December 19, 2024
The collapse of a bipartisan stopgap spending deal to prevent a government shutdown could have significant ramifications for San Diego County, particularly in addressing the ongoing Tijuana sewage crisis, according to Congressman Mike Levin.
The 1,500-page spending measure, which would have funded the federal government through mid-March, included $250 million to help fix the South Bay Wastewater Treatment Plant and deal with cross-border pollution. “This is a very big deal,” Levin said. “There was $250 million in there to help fix the South Bay Wastewater Treatment Plant. To finally deal with that cross-border pollution. That was in the bill.”
Levin warned that without this funding, there will be another significant delay in addressing the sewage issues plaguing the region. “We know that if it doesn’t happen as part of this deal, it could be several years before we get the opportunity to do it again,” he explained.
The congressman expressed frustration over the deal’s unraveling, which he attributes to social media influence. “I’ve never seen anything like it where an unelected billionaire – in fact, the richest person in the world, dictates the terms to the Republicans in the house and the senate,” Levin stated, referring to Elon Musk’s criticism of the bill on his platform, X.
Republicans are now seeking to pass a new deal that includes a two-year suspension of the debt limit, a move that many Democrats oppose. This disagreement makes the likelihood of reaching a funding deal by Friday’s deadline increasingly slim. The potential government shutdown could have far-reaching effects on San Diegans.
“It’s a big deal if our military isn’t able to make ends meet because they don’t get paid right around the holidays. It’s a big deal if our air traffic controllers don’t get paid,” Levin pointed out.
While the treatment plant is moving forward with some fixes thanks to $400 million in other funding, Levin emphasized that the additional funds are crucial to properly complete the job and address the long-standing sewage crisis in the South Bay.
