Fact check: Did Gov Gavin Newsome sign a bill that allows raw sewage to flow into California via the Tijuana River

1. Summary of the results

The claim that Governor Newsom signed a bill allowing raw sewage to flow into California is demonstrably false. In fact, the evidence shows that Newsom has been actively working to prevent and reduce sewage flows:

• He secured $250 million in federal funding to repair and expand the South Bay International Wastewater Treatment Plant ^{[1] [2]}
• Additional federal funding of $703 million was secured for wastewater treatment infrastructure improvements ^[2]
• The governor's efforts aim to reduce sewage flows by up to 90% ^[3]

2. Missing context/alternative viewpoints

Several important contextual elements are missing from the original statement:

• The Tijuana River sewage crisis is an ongoing cross-border pollution issue that predates current administration efforts ^[1]
• Newsom deployed $4.7 million in trash booms to intercept debris and supported congressional efforts for infrastructure improvements ^[4]
• There is some controversy around Newsom's approach: he vetoed a $50 million bill that would have helped clean up the Tijuana River Valley, drawing criticism from the Imperial Beach mayor ^[5]

3. Potential misinformation/bias in the original statement

The original statement appears to be a complete misrepresentation of the facts, potentially aimed at:

• Misleading voters about Newsom's environmental policies
• Oversimplifying a complex international infrastructure and environmental challenge
• Ignoring the significant funding ($250 million + $703 million) secured to address the issue ^{[1] [2]}

The statement reverses the reality of the situation, as Newsom is documented to be working to prevent sewage flow, not enable it. However, his veto of the $50 million bill ^[5] shows that the issue is more complex than either complete opposition to or support for sewage flow mitigation efforts.