Wolk calls bond deal "a big win for Yolo and Solano Counties"

Local transportation, levee repairs and schools will benefit from $37 billion package

SACRAMENTO– Assemblywoman Lois Wolk (D-Davis) applauded the California Legislature’s approval early this morning of the largest public works bond package in the state’s history-- four bonds totaling $37.3 billion to improve the state’s levees, schools, roads, and provide affordable housing. The bonds will be put on the November 2006 ballot for voter approval.

“This was a major accomplishment,” said Wolk. “This bond is the result of a bipartisan effort on the part of the Legislature and the Governor. We finally have a package of bonds that will better the lives of all Californians. I’m particularly pleased that we have a bond that will put over $4 billion on the ballot for flood protection, which will go a long way to help us avoid a Hurricane Katrina-like disaster.”

The four bonds in the package include $4.1 billion for flood protection (AB 140), $19.9 billion for transportation (SB 1266), $2.9 billion for housing (SB 1689) and $10.4 billion for education (AB 127). (See attached breakdown of bond package.)

The flood protection component includes $3 billion for levee inspection, repair, flood control improvements, and delta levee protection; and $290 million for flood corridors, bypasses, and flood plain mapping. Finally, there is $300 million for storm flood management, which would fund work on flood infrastructure outside of the Central Valley, including some in Solano County. Part of the $300 million could go towards preventing urban runoff and protecting water quality in Fairfield and Vacaville, hard hit in the recent New Year flooding.

Additionally, the Assembly approved a $500 million (AB 142) appropriation, actively pursued by Wolk, which includes money for the immediate repair of the 29 critical erosion sites designated by the Governor, including 9 sites in Yolo County. Private levees such as Huff’s Corner that could affect urban areas will also be eligible. The $500 million could also be used on other flood improvements throughout Yolo and Solano Counties.

“This bond will make a difference in the lives of all Californians, not just those in the Central Valley. Since the State suffers liability for failing levees in the Central Valley, the General Fund stands at risk,” said Wolk, who has led the development and coordination of a comprehensive Assembly Democratic Legislative Package on Flood Protection to prepare and protect Californians. “That means California’s schools, health services, and highways stand at risk.

“Think of the billions that the Federal Government has spent on recovery from Katrina. Now imagine a major flood in Sacramento, with the State – not the Federal Government – stuck with the bill for recovery. And more than the Sacramento Valley and General Fund is at stake here. A serious flood could take out the water supply for Southern California, for the Bay Area, and for the San Joaquin Valley. This bond proposal is a sound, smart investment for all of us, regardless where we live. It's about protecting human life, protecting our economy.”

“We also have a transportation bond that will make money available for planned projects in my district that have been stalled for lack of funding, and will provide money for road work at both the city and county level,” said Wolk. “This was a big win for Solano and Yolo County. This was a big win for everyone.”

Yolo and Solano Counties would be eligible for all of the following funding in the $19.9 billion transportation bond:

• $4.5 billion for high-priority corridor improvements, such as the I-80/I-680 interchange;
• $1 billion a piece for counties and cities for road projects;
• $2 billion for projects to improve the movement of goods along our transportation system;
• $750 million for State Highway Operation and Protection Program (SHOPP) and Intelligent Transportation Systems (ITS), electronic systems increasing transportation efficiency and safety;
• $2 billion for State Transportation Improvement Program (STIP) for projects on and off the State Highway System; and
• $200 million for the retrofit and replacement of school buses.

Additionally, the bond includes $4 billion for rail, bus, transit, and improvements--$400 million of which is for Caltrans intercity rail projects, including improvements to several stations in the 8th Assembly District. Solano will also share in approximately 37 percent of the remaining $3.6 billion for additional projects. Additionally, Solano and Yolo Counties would also be eligible for $1 billion for State-Local Partnership Program if they can provide matching funds by successfully passing a transportation sales tax.

Wolk also touted the $1.5 billion for affordable housing, including $345 million for multi-family housing and $50 million for emergency housing--as well as the $10.42 billion education bond.

The education bond includes the following for K-12 schools: $1.9 billion for new construction; $3.3 billion for rehabilitation and modernization; $200 million for small high schools; $500 million for charter schools; $500 million for career technical education facilities; $100 million for energy-efficient schools; and $29 million for joint use facilities. The bond also includes $1.58 billion for CSU and UC campuses, including UC Davis, in addition to $1.5 billion for community colleges.

Within the education bond was an inflation clause that would allow grants for K12 to keep up with construction costs. Wolk advocated the clause, responding to school board concerns.

“This bond will help our schools modernize and expand to meet current and future demand,” said Wolk.

In addition to the four bond bills, the Assembly also approved a constitutional amendment (SCA 7) to protect Prop 42, which guarantees funds from the gas tax go to improve the state’s highways. Also approved was AB 1540, a technical bill that provides a ballot label for the constitutional amendment.

The Assembly also passed two policy bills: AB 1039, which streamlines environmental regulations for repairing levees and the seismic retrofitting of bridges; and AB 1467, which establishes public/private partnerships for goods movement.

“This bond is an investment in the future,” said Wolk. “We have neglected our basic infrastructure, our roads, highways, buses and levees, for far too long. I hope the people of the State of California will agree with us and vote to approve the bonds in November. This is an affordable, financially sound investment. The Department of Finance concurs that this is within our means. It’s time for us to think ahead.”