Assembly GOP Release Infrastructure Plan

Assembly Republicans released their infrastructure plan today with the tagline "Build More, Build Now, and Spend Less." Many caucus members have a big poster on their door with the slogan and a semi-transparent map of California in the background. Ironically, the bottom of the poster (with "Spend Less") has the west coast of the state zig-zagging through a road in what looks remarkably like crack in the road. In any case, the key to the GOP proposal is ACA 27 which would require a "pay as you go" approach for infrastructure. Another two key proposals are ACA 4 which would lock up Proposition 42 revenues for transportation and AB 2028 that would require the Legislature to pay back all funds in the 2007-08 budget that have been diverted from Proposition 42 projects in recent years. The proposal includes an endorsement of design-build and more public-private partnerships in schools. And AB 2026 and 2027 reexamine some of the environmental rules around levees, including " suspending the requirement that “no net loss” of wildlife habitat may take place" during flood control efforts. Assembly Republican leader Kevin McCarthy said: “These reforms provide the tools we need to get the job done. Republicans believe we must adopt the reforms needed to build a stronger California. Our proposals will stretch infrastructure dollars to the fullest, and eliminate the roadblocks that have hindered vital projects for far too long.”