You valley folks are getting it from both ends..
saw this yesterday
Valley will get no extra air funds
http://www.recordnet.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080229/A_NEWS/802290331/-1/A_NEWS
Alex Breitler
Stockton Record
February 29, 2008 6:00 AM
SACRAMENTO - A show of solidarity by Central Valley politicians on Thursday failed to increase the region’s share of an unprecedented $1 billion in air quality funding.
The Valley will see no more than the California Air Resources Board first proposed last month: $250 million, or one-quarter of the total, the board voted. Valley officials had asked for $370 million.
The money from voter-approved Proposition 1B will be used to reduce pollution from freight transport, including offering incentives to upgrade or replace the dirtiest diesel trucks that travel Valley highways each day.
BY THE NUMBERS
Here is how the state has said Proposition 1B funding should be spent:
• Los Angeles/Inland Empire: $550 million
• Central Valley: $250 million
• Bay Area: $140 million
• San Diego/border area: $60 million
“I’m disappointed, but we’ll make the $250 million work. It’s going to do a lot of good here in the Valley,” said Leroy Ornellas, a San Joaquin County supervisor and chairman of the San Joaquin Valley Air Pollution Control District.
Earlier Thursday, Ornellas told the state board that the proposed funding breakdown “totally ignores” the state’s commitment to help the region meet federal ozone standards.
He was one of many Valley politicians and advocates to testify during several hours of arguments.
Tussling for more money was inevitable between the South Coast region and the Valley, which together are expected to receive about 80 percent of the $1 billion.
“I do not see this as the civil war between the regions here,” said Pete Weber, representing the California Partnership for the San Joaquin Valley. “What I think is going on here is we all have enormous needs, and we are all sympathetic to the needs of other regions.”
Valley air district officials said the region’s bowl-like shape makes each ton of emissions more dangerous to public health than in other areas. State air officials, however, have said that the Valley would benefit from cleaner trucks even if they’re funded elsewhere.
“I think we can guarantee (the money) will be put to good use,” said Mary Nichols, chairwoman of the state Air Resources Board.
Yep...not enough political clout to counter S.F and L.A....that is why there have been several proposals to split the state, with the central valley in the conservative part.