Proposals to Hike Gasoline and Sales Taxes

It is no surprise that California’s transportation system is failing to meet our needs. Like our life’s blood, state highways transport our food, fuel and wastes. If our blood system fails, the body dies. California’s economic lifeline may also be fatally stricken unless our state’s transit system is resuscitated quickly.

A cure for this potentially deadly illness is at hand. An increase in the gas tax proposed by the governor, legislators, consumer groups and businesses will be on the ballot in the June, 1990, election. Revenues from a “user fee” of five cents the first year and one additional cent per year over the next four years will provide an $18.5-billion shot in the arm for transportation. The money will be solely devoted to transportation needs, including construction, maintenance and mass transit such as light rail, ride sharing and additional freeway carpool lanes.

One of the most ambitious points of the plan is the requirement of local governments to develop growth plans to address specific transportation issues. Further, the legislation decreases bureaucratic red tape to reduce delays and cost hikes, keeping projects on time and within budget.

If voters pass the measure next June, specific construction plans are scheduled to begin immediately. In Orange County, Interstate 5 will be modified in several areas to ease the commuter gridlock. Traffic lanes will be expanded on portions of the Santa Ana, Costa Mesa and Garden Grove freeways. Reconstruction will begin for the interchange at the Santa Ana and Costa Mesa freeways and also for an interchange on the proposed extension of the Corona del Mar freeway at the I-5. In addition, future plans include a commitment to widen and complete the right of way on the Santa Ana Freeway near Santa Ana and acquire right of way for the widening and creation of an interchange on the Santa Ana Freeway near the Orange and Garden Grove freeways. An area of Highway 74 (Ortega) will be expanded. Lanes will also be added to portions of the Laguna and Riverside freeways .

Over the next 20 years, the state’s population will jump to 36.3 million. The number of vehicles will rise to 31.1 million. That’s 7.5 million more people and nearly 9 million more automobiles. Without immediate adoption of this comprehensive plan, our urgent transit needs will remain unmet and our already-clogged arteries will come to an abrupt halt.

WILLIAM CAMPBELL

State senator, 31st District

El Toro