Proposition 1A Does Nothing to “Rebuild” CaliforniaPaul Hogarthbyline‚ Sep. 27‚ 2006Governor Schwarzenegger and the Democratic legislature have placed five measures on the November ballot in an effort to rebuild California’s infrastructure (Propositions 1A-1E.) The measures are being sold together as a “package deal” to bring $37 billion for transportation, housing, education and flood prevention, and a joint campaign called “Rebuild California” is leading the charge. Schwarzenegger and Angelides support all five measures, as do Senators Feinstein and Boxer, the Chamber of Commerce, the Labor Federation, and the Teacher’s Union. But a closer look at each of the five propositions shows that the first one -- Proposition 1A -- would do nothing to “rebuild” California, and is just another effort at ballot-box budgeting. Unlike the other four propositions (which are bond measures), Prop 1A would not bring the state a single dime. What it does is mandate that all revenue from the state’s gasoline sales tax go to transportation funding – and only transportation funding. By placing such a budgetary straight-jacket, Prop 1A will prevent the legislature from doing its job and divert funding away from worthy programs like education, housing and health care when the need is most dire and urgent. |