SB1 Economic Impact on California Valued at $183 billion over 10 years

Posted on February 27, 2018July 9, 2019 by digitalgear

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Senate Bill 1, the Road Repair and Accountability Act of 2017, makes a historic investment in California’s transportation infrastructure. Realizing that the benefits of SB1 extend far beyond the $5.4 billion annual investment in our state’s roads, bridges, and public transit, the California Alliance for Jobs, California Transit Association, and Transportation California commissioned an economic impact report by the American Road & Transportation Builders Association. ARTBA has published several non-partisan economic impact reports on statewide transportation funding through their first-of-its-kind Transportation Investment Advocacy Center. This program and internet resource center helps educate private citizens, legislators, organizations and businesses on different transportation funding initiatives being introduced and implemented in America.

The findings of this report show the immense value of SB1 and the dangerous economic ramifications that would happen to our state if a bid to repeal the funding succeeds.

In their research, ARTBA found that:

SB1 will support nearly $183 billion in increased economic activity and benefits for California residents and businesses over the next 10 years
SB1 will support the repair, repaving and construction of over 84,000 lane miles on nearly 19,000 miles of roadway over the next 10 years
With improved conditions due to SB1 spending, California drivers will save $818 million in operating costs due to maintenance saved on their vehicles over the next 10 years
Safer roads as a result of SB1 spending adds up to an average of $58 million per year in additional safety benefits
Additional investment under SB1 will enable the replacement of an additional 556 state and local bridges in the first five years of the program

To read the full 62-page report, click here.

If Republicans have their way, California highways stand to lose big under Trump’s infrastructure plan

Posted on February 20, 2018July 9, 2019 by digitalgear

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President Trump’s infrastructure proposal isn’t worth much. And what it is worth for California, the state’s Republican delegation in Congress is trying to destroy.

That’s the irony. More precisely, it’s cynical politics outweighing needed public works.

This is what I mean:

Under Trump’s plan, the federal government would pay for 20% of a major infrastructure project, such as a bridge repair. State and local governments would need to foot 80%.

California is in excellent shape for that one-sided deal because last year it raised gas taxes and vehicle registration fees to pay for repairing dilapidated highways. So it has a pot of money eligible for the Trump dollars.

But California’s Republican House members are pouring big bucks into a proposed November ballot measure to repeal the gas tax and registration fee hikes.

Why? It’s looking like a rotten election for Republicans, especially in California. They’re in danger of losing House seats. Democrats need to pick up 24 seats nationally to recapture control of the House. In California, it’s highly unlikely there’ll be an exciting GOP candidate for governor or the U.S. Senate who can draw Republican voters to the polls. So party strategists hope an anti-tax measure will attract them.

“The base vote needs some motivation,” veteran Republican consultant Dave Gilliard told me last fall. He was running the gas tax repeal campaign.

Gilliard said he told Republicans: “Democrats handed us a gift by passing this very unpopular bill and we should take advantage of it.”

House Majority Leader Kevin McCarthy (R-Bakersfield) has contributed $100,000 from his campaign kitty into the signature-gathering effort to qualify the measure for the ballot. Rep. Devin Nunes (R-Tulare) has donated $50,000. Republican Reps. Mimi Walters of Irvine and Ken Calvert of Corona have each put up $25,000.

Republican businessman John Cox, a dark horse candidate for governor, is a big bankroller. He has dumped in $250,000.

Presumably the Republican House members will vote for Trump’s plan in Congress.

“It’s hypocritical to support a federal infrastructure plan that requires states to put up the majority of money while simultaneously seeking to repeal the ability of your home state to participate in that plan,” says Michael Quigley, executive director of the California Alliance for Jobs, a labor-management coalition.

For more on the benefits of SB 1 and the fight to save it from California’s Congressional Republicans, click here.

SB1 has Fast-Tracked Road Repair Projects throughout California

Posted on February 20, 2018July 9, 2019 by digitalgear

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Three months after the state began collecting an extra 12 cents per gallon in gas taxes, officials have put dozens of road and bridge repair projects on the fast track. With momentum growing for a Republican-led campaign to repeal the gas tax hike, nervous proponents of the higher charges are hoping the flurry of construction activity on California highways will save the $54 billion the levies will generate during the next decade for the state’s badly neglected road system.

The stakes were raised Monday when President Trump announced plans to provide up to $200 billion in federal funds for road and other infrastructure projects, focusing heavily on the ability of states to provide substantial matching funds to receive a share of federal money.

“The proposed repeal of SB 1 would not only rob our state and local governments of vitally needed state funding, but now we learn that it could also hamper our ability to receive federal funding,” said Matt Cate, executive director of the California State Assn. of Counties.

For more on the benefits of SB 1 in California communities, click here.

Alliance to Governor Brown on Promise to Protect SB1: “We have your back!”

Posted on February 20, 2018July 9, 2019 by digitalgear

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Sacramento – Today, representatives of the Fix Our Roads coalition and the new ballot measure committee, the Coalition to Protect Local Transportation Improvements, praised statements made by Governor Jerry Brown in his final State of the State address. Governor Brown reiterated his strong support for Senate Bill 1, the Road Repair and Accountability Act, and vowed to fight any November ballot measure that seeks to repeal this historic transportation funding law.

Governor Brown said: “The funds that SB 1 makes available are absolutely necessary if we are going to maintain our roads and transit systems in good repair. I will do everything in my power to defeat any repeal effort that may make it to the ballot. You can count on that!”

“Governor, we have your back,” said Michael Quigley, executive director of the California Alliance for Jobs. “We were honored to work with you to pass Senate Bill 1 and will do everything in our power to help you protect this vital investment in safer roads, good-paying jobs and a strong economy.”

For more reaction on the Governor’s statement, click here.