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ACTION ALERT
Proposition 42 Funds Threatened
Despite decisions by the Governor and the Legislative
Budget Conference Committee to leave Proposition 42 funding intact, word is
that $1.43 billion in gasoline sales tax dollars has been put on the table
in backroom Budget negotiations.
This raid would be a disaster for California. It would undermine the
economy and cost upwards of 40,000 jobs. It would undo all of the
progress made with the passage of Proposition 1B. Diverting
transportation funds is a surefire way to virtually guarantee a deep
recession in California
that may last for years.
Act now to phone, email and write legislative leaders
and your own Assembly and Senate representatives. It also
doesn’t hurt to let the Governor know how important it is that he
holds to his decision to keep the faith on Proposition 42.
Key Points:
·
Borrowing gas tax funds that must be
repaid in three years is no way to fix a structural deficit. It only
papers over the problem, plunges the state further into debt and increases
costs to the state.
·
Raiding
transportation and transit funding breaks faith with 77% of voters who
passed Prop. 1A in 2006. With Prop. 42 in 2002 and again with Prop. 1A in
2006, California
voters have made it abundantly clear that they do not want the state
raiding funds intended for transportation and transit improvements.
·
Cutting
transportation and transit funding now will mean the death of many high
priority projects. The longer we wait on these transportation projects, the
more costly they become.
·
Raiding
transportation and transit funds will eliminate thousands of jobs and stall
economic growth at the worst possible time. Raiding transportation
funds will further destroy an already struggling industry and severely
hamper any hope of an economic recovery.
·
The burden
on taxpayers will be much greater if needed projects are delayed or
cancelled. With prices rising and our infrastructure allowed to
deteriorate, taxpayers will end up paying through the nose for work that
should be done now.
Legislative Leadership Contact Information:
Senate
President Pro Tem Don Perata: (916) 651-4009
Assembly Speaker Karen
Bass:
(916)
319-2047
Senate Republican Leader Dave Cogdill:
(916) 651-4014
Assembly Republican Leader Michael Villines:
(916)
319-2029
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