Panel gives nod to bond for bridge Governor still not keen on Perata's $7.7 billion idea (CA)

SF Gate/San Francisco Chronicle ^ | Wednesday, May 4, 2005 | Jim Herron Zamora, Chronicle Staff Writer

[Simmy2.5]

Sacramento -- A state Senate committee approved a $7.7 billion bond proposal Tuesday that would help pay for the new eastern span of the Bay Bridge, along with a variety of transportation, port and levee projects throughout the state.

"This is basically a savings plan," said Senate President Pro Tem Don Perata, D-Oakland, the bill's sponsor. "We are going to save California's economy by doing this."

[Simmy2.5]

Sen. Tom McClintock, R-Thousand Oaks, criticized Perata's plan, saying people who use bridges and ports should pay for any new construction instead the cost being spread among all state taxpayers. He noted that the original construction of the bridges was funded through tolls.

"This is a radical and entirely unsound departure" from the traditional method of funding such projects, McClintock said.

Yeah...more bonds! Screw the entire state! Sheesh. Just raise the freaken toll! We wanted a fancy bridge (that might become a 'boring' causeway anyway), we should pay for it!

[1FASTGLOCK45]

YUP, and the politicians have A BRIDGE to sell us, literally.

[calcowgirl]

"This is basically a savings plan..."

This man must be afflicted with severe mental deficiencies.

[calcowgirl]

Borrow, borrow, borrow.

Ever-mounting debt symbolizes the Capitol's dysfunctional culture

[NormsRevenge]

PeRATaGate