$340M in Drought-Relief Money Remains Unspent

FRESNO, Calif. (KMJ) — More than $340 million allocated for various drought-relief efforts in the Golden State remains unspent, sitting in government coffers.

According to the Calif. Finance Department, the Governor Jerry Brown set aside $687 million to help farmworkers in devastated communities; but, a year later, nearly half of it has gone nowhere.

Projects include pipelines, water-treatment plants, in addition to food aid, and other assistance.

Public agencies acknowledge that they’ve been slow to act, but say their slow pace is meant to ensure that the dollars are used wisely.