SCAG Forecast on Area’s Future

In response to “Southern California-Bashing at Its Gloomiest, Paid For by Its Victims,” Opinion, Aug. 2:

The Southern California Assn. of Governments (SCAG) has a responsibility to provide the region with accurate information on which cities and counties can make planning decisions. SCAG’s job is not to make people happy by painting a rosy and false picture of the future; rather it is to identify the broad range of issues that the region is facing.

If local governments in this region are to efficiently plan for water, transportation, waste disposal and other services that people and business need, we need to construct the best possible judgment of our future. We need to know how many people will live here. How many people will be employed. Equally important, since government increasingly is relying on sources of revenue that fluctuate with economic activity, we need to be knowledgeable about what will happen with the economy. Incorrect and rosy economic projections lead to false forecasts of revenue and incorrectly structured budgets. One only has to look at the budget crisis of the state to appreciate the importance and seriousness of correct revenue forecasts.

In SCAG’s 25-year history, we have developed the analytical tools and created a dialogue with public, business, and community leaders to enable us to make these judgments. We have consistently been candid in publishing growth forecasts, assessing and forecasting changes in our population, determining the needs for housing, environmental controls and job creation strategies.

The region will continue to grow at an accelerated rate. SCAG has a responsibility to its membership and the region to present valid information in a meticulous and precise manner. Planning decisions are based on SCAG’s data. Accurate information will help public and private leaders make good decisions and build public support and confidence. Erroneous data should not be proffered for any reason.

MARK PISANO, Executive Director

SCAG, Los Angeles