DeMaio Says Governor Grossly Negligent for Refusing the Declare an Emergency Regarding Tijuana Sewage Crisis Despite Environmental and Public Health Impacts
Moments after Gov. Gavin Newsom declared a “state of emergency” in the wake of the discovery of cases of the H5N1 virus in dairy operations in the central valley, California State Representative Carl DeMaio (R-San Diego) slammed the move as pure hypocrisy and called on the Governor to finally issue an emergency declaration on the more serious environmental and public health crisis created in San Diego county due to the constant release of raw sewage from Mexico.
The Governor’s office itself says “the risk to the public remains low” with H5N1. Meanwhile, DeMaio points to research from governmental and independent entities that document the severe risks created and damage being done by the sewage releases. DeMaio has repeatedly called on the Governor to declare a “Tijuana Sewage Emergency” – but Newsom has refused.
“Gavin Newsom is grandstanding on a bird flu declaration to pretend that he cares about public health but he refuses to give us a simple declaration of emergency so we have this important tool to address the Tijuana sewage crisis – all because he is afraid of offending Mexican politicians,” DeMaio says.
“Newsom is a complete hypocrite who is grandstanding on the H5Ni virus while completely downplaying the Tijuana sewage crisis that is causing severe health problems in countless people – from rashes of people swimming in our waters to nausea and respiratory problems,” DeMaio notes.
“When Newsom finally takes gives us the long-awaited emergency declaration on the Tijuana sewage crisis, then maybe we can believe he is serious about protecting public health and the environment versus generating feel-good media headlines,” DeMaio concludes.
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