The Assembly plans to take up legislation that would force developers to pay to offset increased water use at new projects, much like school impact fees. Builders say that more fees would be another drag on their slumping industry. The California Chamber of Commerce is pitching in to help kill the legislation. “AB 2153 further exacerbates a suffering economy and dismal housing market by imposing an untold tax on new home buyers,” opponents wrote. Business interests argue that new homes and buildings are water-efficient. Read More. (San Diego Union-Tribune 05/27/08)