California legislators to learn from Australian drought

From 1997 to 2009, Australia had a severe drought, the longest drought on record. As part of a learning experience, California lawmakers, environmental, labor and business leaders are currently on a trip to Australia to see how they managed their drought. The hope is that Californians will be able to learn new tips and tricks for managing the severe California drought.

The trip, which was organized and paid for by the nonpartisan think tank California Foundation on the Environment and Economy, has members from both political parties. Democratic Senate President Pro Tem Kevin de Leon (Los Angeles), Republican Assembly Minority Leader Kristin Olsen (Modesto) and California Water Commission member Daniel Curtin are participating in the nine-day trip.