Republicans Propose Infrastructure Fund for Rebuilding

How many Californians are frustrated with sitting in bumper-to-bumper traffic, creeping along highways filled with potholes, while attempting to complete a daily commute?

California’s once enviable infrastructure, which was copied throughout the country, has been neglected for too long by the state Legislature. Just 40 years ago, California invested in a vision that created highways, established an intricate state water system and created the best public universities in the nation. In fact, an estimated 20% of our state resources were devoted to our infrastructure. This investment in our schools, roads, water and parks attracted both businesses and new residents that ensured California’s economic prosperity.

Unfortunately, this financial commitment to the nuts and bolts necessary for California’s future has steadily dwindled to less than 3% of the annual state budget. In fact, according to reports by the California Business Roundtable, the state Department of Finance and the legislative analyst’s office, California needs more than $100 billion for infrastructure investments over the next 20 years.

For too long, California has procrastinated about truly investing in its basic infrastructure. While this decline affects commuters on congested highways and students in overcrowded classrooms, it also affects the pride of every community with decaying parks, roads or schools.

This infrastructure crisis needs more than Band-Aid solutions--based on raising taxes and increasing the debt burdens of our children--that do nothing to heal the deep wounds of neglect.

I believe the solution to California’s infrastructure crisis is the 20 / 20 Vision plan, which would use current tax dollars to rebuild California. Simply investing 5% of the growth in the annual budget and placing it in a California 21st century infrastructure fund would pay for our classrooms, parks, roads, water and prison infrastructure needs. Based on actual historic growth, we could have up to $125 billion by 2020.

The 20 / 20 Vision plan, which will be considered by the legislature in its next session, would not raise taxes and would protect and enhance our investment in education. This plan would meet the needs of California in the next 20 years while providing immediate improvements. In addition, the 20 / 20 Vision plan would guarantee that 75% of the dollars invested would be distributed directly to cities and counties. They could spend this additional funding on their highest priority capital outlay projects, rather than allow Sacramento bureaucrats to dictate the timeline and priority of these projects.

*

Communities know which roads need to be widened and which potholes need to be filled, and we should give them the resources to get these projects done. If we simply rely on the state, our infrastructure will never be strengthened and projects will take years to complete. Sacramento bureaucrats do not share the same sense of urgency associated with widening a popular crowded road as does the community in which it’s located. Local officials know best what needs to be fixed, and we need to place the responsibility in their hands.

The 20 / 20 Vision plan would invest real dollars in our roads, schools and parks now, rather than rely on taxes and debt to gain future dollars for our needs.

Conversely, the Legislature will also consider a typical tax-and-spend plan instead of a solution that meets our needs. In fact, this proposal completely ignores Los Angeles County, which would not receive a dime of additional revenue because the sales tax increase is already permanent in the county.

The tax-and-spend plan is not a solution; it is a perception of a solution. It fails to even recognize Los Angeles County’s growing infrastructure needs.

We need to stop talking about our failing infrastructure and start investing real dollars into our roads, schools and parks now. The familiar experience of sitting in traffic and creeping home from work needs to end.

California must implement the 20 / 20 Vision plan and start rebuilding our state for the 21st century.