GOVERNMENT RELATIONS


Transportation Funding Included in California Budget C


By Felipe Fuentes


alifornia’s state budget for 2017-18 finally brings some good news for transportation


project funding. And it couldn’t come at a more opportune time, given the economic situation the state and nation endured in the not-too-distant past. Te Great Recession was felt


worldwide during the late 2000s and lasted almost a full decade. According to the International Monetary Fund, it was the worst global recession since World War II. In California, like the rest of the United States, the economic decline began in December 2007 and was most evidenced by images of foreclosed homes left behind after the subprime mortgage crisis. At the height of the recession,


California’s state budget shrank by more than 25 percent. Budgetary cuts and decreased governmental


spending were felt well into the early 2010s. Because of this economic crisis, governmental investments in trans- portation and infrastructure spending were further deferred. Revenue that was counted on for transportation projects was borrowed to balance other budgetary priorities. California’s standing as a global economy fell from the 6th largest to 10th by 2012.


Positive Change for Transportation Funding


Te successful passage of Te Road


Repair and Accountability Act of 2017 (Act) marks a positive change for our state, with over $2.8 billion in funding during the 2017-18 budget year for transportation “fix-it first” priorities including repairs on local roads, state highways and bridges. Tis makes the 2017-18 budget year the first since 1994 with new gas and diesel tax revenues earmarked for transportation


and infrastructure projects. Once fully implemented, the Act will provide an average of $5.4 billion per year for state and local transportation projects. Over the next 10 years the Act is


expected to provide $15 billion for highway repairs and maintenance, $4 billion for bridge repairs, $3 billion for goods movement and trade corridors, and $2.5 billion for congestion relief. Local streets and roads are expected to receive over $15 billion in new funding for repair, maintenance, and improvements. City and mass transit rail projects will receive $8 billion in additional funding. Local governments will have an opportunity to compete for $3 billion in matching funds and active transportation projects. Te Act was a result of the passage


of Senate Bill 1 by Senator Jim Beall (District 15) and the Assembly Consti- tutional Amendment 5 (ACA 5) by Assemblymember Jim Frazier (District


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6 July/August 2017 California Constructor


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