Voters will not be asked in November to approve a massive borrowing plan to fix the state's water supply system. Late last night, the Legislature shelved the measure until 2012.

The $11 billion water bond was the product of a tough political compromise last year. Lately, it's been the focus of a lot of criticism -- detractors say it is too filled with pet projects, and it contains too much borrowing for a state in fiscal chaos.

Last night, the Legislature pushed the bond onto the ballot two years from now, a bond to pay for new dams, water conservation, and some changes in the fragile Delta ecosystem. Supporters say the delay isn't likely to hurt the state's water needs. But no one can say whether a two-year postponement will allow the proposal to be fine-tuned or killed by its many opponents.