Replies

http://gov.ca.gov/index.php?/speech/4547/

Q: Why do we need bond measures, or even increases in sales taxes, to improve California’s roads and highways? Why isn’t there enough money in Sacramento to do this? And if there isn’t enough money, what can be done to address that issue?

GOVERNOR: Well, what we are doing here is the perfect way to go about it, because what we are saying is, basically, we want to take 37 billion dollars and we want to rebuild California. That is the key thing, because it hasn’t been done for the last three decades. So both of the parties recognize that, that we have been falling behind and falling behind in transportation infrastructure, our schools, our levees, our affordable homes, all of those things, or affordable housing, all of those things. That in order for us to really live up to 100 percent of our potential here in this state, we need to build all of those things. And so it’s really wonderful to see both of the parties come together and make that commitment and say, “Let us rebuild and let us build for a population of 37 million people.”

Q: Governor, because of the way the California Constitution is written, your state funding only requires a majority vote, but our Measure D, our local money, requires 66.7. This creates a little bit of a game of chicken, where local politicians might say, “We don’t need to pass ours because it’s easier for the state to just fund it themselves.” So what do you say to the citizens of Santa Barbara County about passing Measure D if they assume you’ll widen the 101 anyway?

GOVERNOR: Well, first of all, as you know, there is only so much money that goes around; we have 20 billion dollars. So I think that every community has to think for themselves also. The state and the federal government does a certain portion, and then locally you do a certain portion. So I think all of that has to work together. It is an effort where the local community, the state, and the federal government work together, and I think this is what will enable us to really build a great transportation system for the future. And what is important also is that we don’t just build for 37 million but actually for 42 million people, because in the next five years or eight years we will be 42 million people.

And it’s just very important for the people to know, we know that you’re frustrated, we know that you’re angry that you get stuck in traffic all the time. Now is your chance to let your voice be heard, and this is why I say vote yes on Proposition 1A-1E, on all of those measures, including Proposition 84.