Assembly GOP Leader Martin Garrick of Carlsbad today joined Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger's call to delay the $11.1 billion water bond from November's ballot to 2012. As we reported yesterday, Senate Leader Darrell Steinberg, D-Sacramento, is also on board, as well as Sen. Dave Cogdill, R-Modesto, an influential Republican on water issues.

But we have yet to hear anything official from Assembly Speaker John Perez, D-Los Angeles. A key member of his caucus on water issues is calling for lawmakers to not just delay the bond vote, but revamp the bond.

"If we're going to delay the bond vote by two years, we have the time to work on a better bond and that's what we should do - instead of hard-wiring a vote for 2012 on a bond we know is huge, controversial, and is not polling well, even in the wake of a multi-year drought," Assembly Member Jared Huffman, D-San Rafael, said in an email.

Rewriting a bond that barely passed the Legislature in the first place would likely be a timely endeavor and one full of the regional battles that usually accompany water policy. The deadline to pull the bond from this year's ballot is likely Aug. 9, when the voter guide is set to go to the printer.

There has been some talk that lawmakers might vote on the delay this week, although it's unclear if that's doable, especially if enough lawmakers demand more significant changes to the bond. (Keep in mind that the Legislature leaves next week for summer recess and is not scheduled to return until Aug. 2, although lawmakers will be on call and could potentially return before then.)

Some more clarity could come this evening, when Democratic leaders are expected to meet with the governor to discuss the state budget. The water bond will undoubtedly come up.