Gov. Jerry Brown stood outside the governor’s mansion Tuesday night before cameras and supporters to accept his easily-won victory in capturing a fourth term. But it wasn’t that personal, unprecedented triumph he wanted to discuss. In a true nod toward his priorities, and those of California’s voters, Brown mostly spoke about Proposition 1 — the water bond that he campaigned heavily for that was already showing success in the early returns. With 100 percent of the precincts reporting, the Water Quality, Supply, Infrastructure Improvement Act of 2014 Act passed 66.8 percent to 33.2 percent.

While the $7.5 billion bond measure wasn’t without opponents, its passage was widely hailed by supporters — who acknowledge that it’s a step in the right direction. Timothy Quinn, executive director of the Association of California Water Agencies, said the passage of Proposition 1 “marks the culmination of years of effort to advance a water bond that will reinvest in California’s water system and jumpstart the comprehensive, statewide water action plan we need for our future.” Rich Atwater, executive director of the Southern California Water Committee, said: “Southern California is committed to expanding local water supplies, and Proposition 1 will help the region build on the significant progress already made by advancing water projects close to home.”

The work begins now for public agencies who want to seek some of that funding for water projects.