Wolk Applauds Budget's Transportation Funding

Includes full Proposition 42 funding, money for DMV offices in Fairfield, Vacaville, and Woodland

"This budget isn't perfect, but it begins to address the fact that as California continues to grow our transportation infrastructure and upkeep has failed to keep up," said Assemblywoman Wolk. "We have a long way to go, but we're on the right track. Fully funding Proposition 42 and making sure that money is allocated to the State's most needed transportation projects is a critical step."

The budget, which passed of the Assembly floor last week on a 61-13 vote, includes monies for several projects the Assemblywoman pushed for - fully funding the $1.3 billion for Proposition 42 and allocating $5 million for Regional Blueprint Planning to provide grants for local governments to develop regional plans.

Assemblywoman Wolk was instrumental in adding budget trailer bill language to ensure that all eligible projects in line for Proposition 42 funding will be funded and to ensure that no new funding criteria be implemented after the fact by the Governor's office. She also spearheaded a vote in the Assembly Budget Subcommittee on Transportation and Information Technology in favor of funding a Regional Blueprint Planning Grant Program, citing the successful efforts of the Sacramento Area Council of Governments' development of a blueprint that addresses its community's future growth needs.

The budget also allocates funds for the expansion of the Department of Motor Vehicles' innovative Queuing System Program designed to speed service and increase efficiency in its field offices. Wolk strongly supported the expansion of this program to 42 "high traffic" DMV field offices throughout the state including Fairfield, Vacaville, and Woodland.

Wolk admits that the budget does have it shortfalls.

"Unfortunately, despite my best efforts, the budget provides that the $380 million in gas tax spillover funds are recaptured into the general fund, rather than being allocated to transportation programs," said Wolk. "But it provides $1.2 billion to fully repay the Vehicle Licensing Fees Gap Loan to cities and counties. It also includes more than $100 million, as a result of Caltrans new efficiencies, which will go toward highway maintenance. This budget is a compromise, but it moves us in the right direction."