Sen. Steve Padilla (D-San Diego) stated that Californians are "fed up" with corporations polluting the state’s water sources for profit. Padilla made his statement in a May 21 press release announcing the passing of two bills he authored that will address large businesses using California’s southern coastline to dump waste.
"Business as usual at the border is over and done with," said Steve Padilla, California State Senator. "We are fed up with corporations poisoning Californians all to make a quick buck. We must hold these polluters accountable for untold harm they have caused our community."
According to the press release, California’s southern coastline has been polluted with contaminated wastewater due to failing infrastructure for generations, causing health and environmental hazards.
According to environmental organization American Rivers, the Tijuana River Watershed was named one of the 10 most endangered rivers in America in April. "Clean water is a universal need and a shared value," said Kristan Culbert of American Rivers in an article published on April 16. "But pollution in the Tijuana River is making people sick. No families should have to worry about getting sick from polluted water, and no children should grow up on polluted beaches. It is long past time for action."
Expanding on environmental protections made into law by former Governor Ronald Reagan, SB 1178, if passed, will require large businesses to make their wastewater discharges in California watersheds open to the public, according to the release. SB 1208 would protect the Tijuana River by preventing waste discharge permits from being issued within the Tijuana River National Estuarine Research Reserve for new nonhazardous solid waste landfills.
In an April 21 post on X, Padilla said that with SB 1178 and 1208, billionaires and corporations will no longer be able to treat California communities as "dumping grounds." "These pieces of legislation are crucial as we look to unwind decades, if not generations, of pollution and harm to underserved and overlooked communities," he wrote.
Padilla has been serving since 2022, representing San Diego, Imperial, Riverside and San Bernardino counties according to his website. Prior to this role, he held office as mayor of Chula Vista from 2002 to 2006.