LEGISLATIVE ISSUES


Preserving Infrastructure Funding Is Rallying Call at AGC Legislative Summit


By Carol Eaton P


rotecting billions of dollars in vital California transportation projects funded by passage of the


Road Repair and Accountability Act of 2017 (SB 1) is a top priority issue for the contractors, transportation agency representatives, business leaders and elected officials who gathered for the AGC of California 2018 Legislative Summit in Sacramento. California Assembly Speaker


Anthony Rendon and Caltrans Director Laurie Berman were among the high- profile officials who addressed nearly 140 AGC members at the Sacramento Convention Center May 14-15. Te two-day legislative summit included a variety of AGC business meetings, opening and closing session addresses and a legislative reception that brought together over two dozen elected officials with AGC members. Te summit concluded with member visits with their local legislators at the state capitol. Te grassroots outreach offered them the chance to advocate for key industry issues and draw attention to the important work performed by the state’s construction industry. At the top of virtually everyone’s


agenda was the need to fight the impending effort to repeal SB 1, which appears to be on track for inclusion on the November 2018 ballot. Passed by the state legislature and signed into law by Governor Jerry Brown in April of 2017, SB 1 raised gas taxes for the first time in over 20 years. It provides a stable funding source for more than $54 billion in critical transportation projects over the next decade and beyond throughout every region of the state. AGC is part of a broad coalition of


industry, business, local government, public safety and labor groups who are collectively working to defeat the repeal of SB 1. Led by Governor


10 July/August 2018


Caltrans Director Laurie Berman opened the AGC Legislative Summit.


Brown, the coalition is also vigorously advocating for passage of Prop 69 on the June 5 ballot. Tat measure would safeguard gas tax revenues for trans- portation and infrastructure purposes and prevent those funds being diverted into the general fund.


Assembly Speaker Decries SB 1 Repeal Effort


Assembly Speaker Rendon offered


a keynote address at the AGC summit, where he discussed the importance of defeating the SB 1 repeal effort. Rendon has presided over the state Assembly since March of 2016, during a period of major legislative accom- plishments including passage of SB 1, extension of California’s cap and trade program and legislation to address the state’s affordable housing crisis. “Tere is a dark cloud on our


immediate economic horizon, and we all know that is the dangerous campaign to derail SB 1,” Speaker Rendon said. “Tat misguided campaign would block billions of dollars in improvements to our streets, our roads and transit.” “Te solution contained in SB 1 is


responsible and realistic,” he added. “It’s a pay-as-we-go plan, without


borrowing and without resulting in cuts to school, health and public safety. SB 1 guarantees funds to every city and every county to fix potholes, make safety improvements, ease traffic congestion and improve public trans- portation. Tese funds are already being put to use, and California cities and counties have already identified over 4,000 local projects for funding in 2017, 2018 and into the future.” Speaker Rendon added that the


overall impact on California’s economy – currently ranked the fifth largest in the world – is considerable. “SB 1 will generate tens of


thousands of good paying construction jobs, but only if it stays on the books,” he said. “Transportation used to be known as a bipartisan issue. It would be a shame if partisan politics wipes out the gains that SB 1 can help to bring.” “A strong coalition including AGC,


business, labor and local government provided the credibility that we needed to get SB 1 over the finish line,” Speaker Rendon added. “We’re going to have to keep that coalition going strong and active if we want to see the benefits of SB 1. I want to work with you to make sure we keep California moving forward.”


Caltrans Director Weighs in on SB 1 Funded Projects


Caltrans Director Laurie Berman, appointed by Governor Brown this February following a 35-year career with the agency, outlined some of the positive impacts SB 1 is having during her address to AGC members at the summit’s opening session. “Prior to the passage of SB 1 we


had $137 billion in deferred mainte- nance needs,” Berman said. “Tis is going to provide Caltrans and local communities with an opportunity to catch up on years of unfunded mainte- nance on a system that is more than


California Constructor


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