It’s Now or Never

California is reaching a critical mass: the point at which it must do something about planning for the state’s future or the opportunity will be lost. The state has grown itself into a pretty mess, due in part to years of conscious neglect by community leaders and politicians who should have been sounding alarms but feared that such talk would hurt the booming economy or their own chances for election. Now, however, sensible management of growth no longer is a simple matter of environmental aesthetics and life style, but of continued economic vitality.

The latest warning to be sounded comes from Legislative Analyst Elizabeth G. Hill, whose recent excellent report to lawmakers concerning the California economy talks about both the enormousness and the urgency of California’s infrastructure problem and lack of planning. Hill’s report outlines the demands of onrushing population growth--including transportation, education, housing, an adequate finance system and the need for planning and coordinating action among governments.

Little has been done to respond to these challenges to California’s economic future, Hill said. The problems must be confronted with a sense of urgency, because California cannot afford to react in a delayed and haphazardly fashion. This is uncommonly tough talk--and implied criticism--from the bipartisan legislative adviser’s office.

Hill’s comments follow similar findings by LA 2000, a diverse study group appointed by Los Angeles Mayor Tom Bradley, and a report from the Los Angeles Area Chamber of Commerce. They come at a time when citizen groups have sought to narrowly limit growth at the local level through initiative ballot measures. The movement suffered setbacks in Orange, San Diego and Riverside counties at the polls this year, but its leaders will fight on, possibly with a statewide initiative to created a planning agency similar to the California Coastal Commission.

Planning at the state level has been viewed as an anathema for years--as something that socialists do. But it has become apparent that city and county governments are not equipped to cope with the complex, interrelated problems generated by unrestrained growth. The governor and Legislature now must deal with the problem. They have both the authority and the responsibility to do so.

The Legislature has been conducting worthwhile studies, and at least is asking the right questions. A gubernatorial panel reported on growth issues with some urgency early this year, but there has been little visible follow-up. Gov. George Deukmejian vetoed a bill that would have required the state Finance Department to develop for the first time a comprehensive capital construction plan for the state. A bill to establish a long-range transportation planning scheme for California failed in the Legislature. Such items are essential beginnings.

Studies should go forward, but most of the urgent problems are obvious and have fairly obvious solutions, like the need for more transportation finance. Action must begin if the state, in cooperation with local government and regional institutions, is going to be able to manage growth to the advantage of the California economy and the quality of life that has made the state so attractive up to now. The principal missing ingredient is leadership. The obvious source of leadership is the governor’s office.

Should the governor prefer not to seize the opportunity on his own, a task force of Administration officials and legislative leaders should be assembled to draft within the first month or so of the 1989 session an agenda for action on the most urgent problems. Without vision, leadership and cooperation, California will lurch blindly into a very murky future.