There's a big political test facing the San Joaquin Valley's legislative delegation, and the future of Highway 99 is at stake if our leaders fail. The public must make it clear to Valley legislators that failure is not an option.

After recent governors have ignored the Valley, we have one willing to invest in the region. Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger has proposed upgrading Highway 99 as part of his infrastructure bond package for the entire state. But legislative leaders from the Bay Area and Southern California have their eyes on our money.

Look, but don't touch. That money is crucial to fixing Highway 99, a beaten-down roadway that has too much traffic, and not enough attractive landscaping, making it downright ugly.

Highway 99 has become a symbol of how the Valley is shortchanged when it comes to getting a fair share of state funding. Now legislative leaders want to steal our lunch money again. How long are we going to be bullied?

A legislative committee is hashing out the governor's infrastructure bond plan that would go before voters this year. Schwarzenegger has proposed a $12 billion strategic growth bond, with $1 billion earmarked for Highway 99. Eventually, $6 billion would be spent on the 250 miles of this important Valley roadway.

But Highway 99's first billion could disappear if some legislators have their way. Take that billion and we're sure not going to get the other $5 billion.

Here's the troubling prospect: The Bay Area and Los Angeles, with much more legislative clout than our representatives can muster, could come out of this bond with big bucks stolen from the Valley.

Our representatives, both Democrat and Republican, must not let that happen and must keep the governor's proposal of $1 billion for Highway 99 on track. Citizens shouldn't be sitting on their hands, either, and can help the cause with pointed e-mails and telephone calls to conference committee members and their own legislators. You can contact each member by using the information in the adjacent box.

We expect state Sens. Chuck Poochigian and Dean Florez, and Assembly Members Dave Cogdill, Juan Arambula, Mike Villines, Nicole Parra, Bill Maze and Barbara Matthews to get the job done for the Valley. Don't come crawling back with political excuses.

If that $1 billion is cut, all that might be left is $20 million for scattered congestion relief. That wouldn't do much on our blue-collar freeway.

The conference committee resumes its meetings today. Timing is critical. A proposal must be firmed up by March 10 to get the bond measure on the June 6 ballot.

Highway 99 is the lifeline of the Valley, but it's critical for other parts of the state, too. Consider the many foods and other products trucked through the Valley to urban areas. Consider the many Bay Area workers who commute on 99 because they can't afford to live any closer. Consider that the Valley is the state's fastest-growing region.

The governor's proposal won support from the California Partnership for the San Joaquin Valley and the various councils of governments in the Valley. The $1 billion for Highway 99 is needed and it's only fair that it be in the governor's bond.

The message to the Legislature must be strong and direct: Don't neglect the Valley again. It's time to stand up for ourselves. Do we have the spine to take on a political system that has been walking over us for decades?

INFOBOX

STATE SENATORS

Chuck Poochigian, District 14: Senator.Poochigian@sen.ca.gov or (559) 253-7122.

Dean Florez, District 16: Senator.Florez@sen.ca.gov or (559) 445-6506.

ASSEMBLY MEMBERS

Barbara Matthews, District 17: (916) 319-2017*.

Dave Cogdill, District 25: Assemblymember.Cogdill@assembly.ca.gov or (916) 319-2025.

Mike Villines, District 29: Assemblymember.Villines@assembly.ca.gov or (559) 446-2029.

Nicole Parra, District 30: Assemblymember.Parra@assembly.ca.gov or (916) 319-2030.

Juan Arambula, District 31: Assemblymember.Arambula@asm.ca.gov or (559) 445-5532.

Bill Maze, District 34: Assemblymember.maze@assembly.ca.gov or (559) 636-3440.

CONFERENCE COMMITTEE

Senators

Wes Chesbro, District 2: Senator.Chesbro@sen.ca.gov or (916) 651-4002.

Kevin Murray, District 26: Senator.Murray@sen.ca.gov or (916) 651-4026.

Dennis Hollingsworth, District 36: Senator.Hollingsworth@sen.ca.gov. or (916) 651-4036

Assembly members

Rick Keene, District 3: Assemblymember.keene@assembly.ca.gov or (916) 319-2003.

Judy Chu, District 49: Assemblymember.chu@asm.ca.gov or (916) 319-2049.

John Laird, District 27: Assemblymember.laird@assembly.ca.gov or (916) 319-2027.

*No e-mail address