COUNCIL WELCOMES GOVERNOR’S DRAFT TRANSPORTATION FUNDING FRAMEWORK

The Bay Area Council reacted positively to a draft framework unveiled by Gov. Jerry Brown Thursday (Sept. 3) that would generate $3.6 billion annually to fix California’s broken roads, highways and bridges. The framework comes as the Legislature works in special session to develop a transportation funding package.

“This framework can help clear the road for a badly needed transportation funding plan,” said Jim Wunderman, President and CEO of the Bay Area Council. “We applaud the Governor’s leadership in presenting a reasonable and workable set of funding proposals that the Legislature can work with to reach bi-partisan agreement. California’s transportation needs are immense and we’ve neglected for too long to provide adequate funding. We need good roads and highways to keep our economy moving and growing. The Governor’s framework will move us down the road to meeting the state’s transportation needs. We urge the Legislature to use this framework to reach an agreement on a transportation funding plan this year.”

According to the draft framework, which was shared with the Bay Area Council, the $3.6 billion in funding would come from a combination of $2 billion from a $65 highway user fee; $500 million from cap and trade revenue; $500 million from a gas excise tax; $500 million from a diesel excise tax; and, $100 million from efficiencies at Caltrans. The money would be split equally between state and local uses. The framework is consistent with revenue sources the Council’s Executive Committee recently endorsed to fund transportation. To engage in our transportation policy work, contact Senior Vice President Michael Cunningham.