The newest issue of the Planning Report discusses the looming crisis in the condition of California's transportation infrastructure and the backlog of an estimated $130 billion in repairs—nearly the equivalent of the state's entire General Fund! Deteriorating roads and bridges pose a significant risk to all who use them, and cost drivers more than an average of $700/year in vehicle repairs.
Then there are the less obvious costs: "A well-maintained transportation infrastructure is fundamental to a thriving economy," Denny Zane told the Planning Report, adding that "Properly maintaining our highway system is far less expensive than having to replace it in the future." Read more in the Planning Report HERE.
Prop 6 would repeal SB-1, a bill written with input from business, labor, and local government leaders that won a 2/3 vote in the Legislature before being signed into law last year. LA County Federation of Labor AFL-CIO President Rusty Hicks notes that we're only just beginning to see the benefits, which will include "more good jobs for working people and a stronger economy for us all." He adds that since Prop 6 was put on the ballot the coalition defending it has grown quickly, noting: "Solutions to our region's biggest problems are often found in coalition with the unlikeliest of partners . . . and [the No on Prop 6 coalition] has grown in breadth and depth. Environmental organizations and civil rights leaders, pubic safety officials and public interest groups, senior organizations and leaders in public health—they all opposed Proposition 6."
JOIN THIS VERY BIG COALITION AND ENDORSE NO ON PROP 6 HERE! See the 600+ coalition members HERE.
About 15% of SB-1 funding will be spent each year on transit projects and active transportation, and LA Metro intends to spend this transit funding accelerating construction of the Airport Metro Connector, the East San Fernando Valley light rail line, the West Santa Ana light rail line to Artesia, bus rapid transit from the San Fernando Valley to the San Gabriel Valley, and extending the Green Line to Torrance and the Foothill Gold Line to Montclair.
Concluded Denny: "SB 1 is the perfect complement to Measures R and M—both approved by LA County voters by more than a 2/3 vote . . . While SB 1 also provides significant funding to accelerate completion of our transit priorities, its primary function is to do for our deteriorated roads, streets, highways and bridges what R and M are doing for our transit systems. If Prop 6 is defeated, and these investments continue, it will be a pretty remarkable time to be living in LA County."