(Sacramento) – Assembly Speaker Anthony Rendon (D-Paramount) released the following statement after the Assembly approved Senate Bill 1, the landmark transportation investment package to fix our roads, freeways and bridges in communities across California and put more dollars toward transit and safety.
“Today, we made steps toward solving a crisis that affects every community in California. Our roads and bridges are in bad shape. They waste our constituents’ time and money and put them in harm’s way.
“SB 1 follows the user-based approach that has guided transportation funding for decades, benefits badly needed projects at both the local and state levels, and includes accountability measures to ensure the funds are used for transportation and to ensure the projects get done.
“I thank my colleagues for stepping up and meeting the challenge before us.”
Details of the Road Repair and Accountability Act of 2017, SB 1 (Beall)
Fix Local Streets and Transportation Infrastructure (50 percent):
$15 billion in “Fix-It-First” local road repairs, including fixing potholes
$7.5 billion to improve local public transportation
$2 billion to support local “self-help” communities that are making their own investments in transportation improvements
$1 billion to improve infrastructure that promotes walking and bicycling
$825 million for the State Transportation Improvement Program local contribution
$250 million in local transportation planning grants.
Fix State Highways and Transportation Infrastructure (50 percent):
$15 billion in “Fix-it-First” highway repairs, including smoother pavement
$4 billion in bridge and culvert repairs
$3 billion to improve trade corridors
$2.5 billion to reduce congestion on major commute corridors
$1.4 billion in other transportation investments, including $275 million for highway and intercity-transit improvements.
Ensure Taxpayer Dollars Are Spent Properly with Strong Accountability Measures:
Constitutional amendment to prohibit spending the funds on anything but transportation
Inspector General to ensure Caltrans and any entities receiving state transportation funds spend taxpayer dollars efficiently, effectively and in compliance with state and federal requirements
Provision that empowers the California Transportation Commission to hold state and local government accountable for making the transportation improvements they commit to delivering
Authorization for the California Transportation Commission to review and allocate Caltrans funding and staffing for highway maintenance to ensure those levels are reasonable and responsible
Authorization for Caltrans to complete earlier mitigation of environmental impacts from construction, a policy that will reduce costs and delays while protecting natural resources.
Guided by the principles set forth by President Ronald Reagan when he increased the federal gas tax in 1982, this transportation investment package is funded by everyone who uses our roads and highways:
$7.3 billion by increasing diesel excise tax 20 cents
$3.5 billion by increasing diesel sales tax to 5.75 percent
$24.4 billion by increasing gasoline excise tax 12 cents
$16.3 billion from an annual transportation improvement fee based on a vehicle’s value
$200 million from an annual $100 Zero Emission Vehicle fee commencing in 2020.
$706 million in General Fund loan repayments.
Website of Speaker Anthony Rendon: a62.asmdc.org
Below are links to audio of Speaker Rendon, Assemblymember Jim Frazier, Senator Jim Beall and Governor Jerry Brown:
Speaker Rendon’s remarks to the Assembly prior to the vote on SB 1. (1:47)
Speaker Rendon, on the Assembly floor prior to the vote on SB 1, says this transportation package is a responsible way to fix the state’s roads and boost the economy. (:26)
At a brief press conference following the vote, Speaker Rendon says Democrats made the responsible choice in approving SB 1. (:18)
Remarks from Assemblymember Jim Frazier (D-Oakley), Chair of the Assembly Transportation Committee, to the full Assembly prior to the vote on SB 1. (1:55)
At a brief press conference following the vote, Assemblymember Frazier says Democrats “did the right thing” by approving SB 1. (:12)
Remarks from State Senator Jim Beall, author of SB 1, at a brief press conference following the vote on SB 1. (:50)
Remarks from Governor Jerry Brown at a brief press conference following the passage of Road Repair and Accountability Act. (1:35)
CONTACT: Kevin Liao (916) 319-2063