Highlights

• Governor Announces California as First State to Partner in CeBIT 2009
• BayBridge 360
• California Seat Belt Usage Reaches New Record High
• State Launches "Community Stabilization Home Loan Program"
• Governor Schwarzenegger Highlights Economic Benefits of Proposition 1C
• Governor Signs Legislation to Expedite Funding for Transportation and Housing Projects
• CTC Approves Landmark $3 Billion Goods Movement Program

News and Press Releases - 2005

Secretary Sunne Wright McPeak Congratulates the California Council on Base Support & Retention

SACRAMENTO - Recognizing that California lost only 700 full time positions of the 279,000 combined military and civilian jobs statewide, Business, Transportation & Housing Agency Secretary Sunne Wright McPeak today congratulated the California Council on Base Support and Retention for their tireless work with communities throughout California to protect their military bases.

"Following the leadership of Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger, the Council was instrumental in helping communities prove the value of California's bases to the U.S. Department of Defense and the Federal Base Realignment and Closure (BRAC) Commission. Virtually all of California's major installations were untouched and some will even benefit from lateral transfers and growth from positions sent from other states," Secretary McPeak said.

Only two of California's 62 military installations - Riverbank Army Ammunition Depot and Onizuka Air Base - were completely closed and only one - Naval Weapons Station Concord - was partially closed. Just two bases experienced reductions in workforce - Naval Base Ventura and Marine Corps Logistics Base, Barstow - but both of those reductions may be offset with lateral transfers from elsewhere in California or from other states.

"I am pleased that the U.S. Department of Defense recognized the unique and unparalleled technical ability of California facilities to provide valuable services to the Nation. Our state will continue to lead in important sectors such as aerospace and aviation technologies, which will contribute greatly towards national security. We are grateful to the work of the Council, and I personally commend each of the communities throughout the state that contributed to ensuring the future vitality of California through this successful BRAC process," Secretary McPeak said.

Among the major accomplishments is the recognition of California's technical facilities and the value placed on the state's intellectual infrastructure and educational assets, both in the military and the civilian community. The retention of the Space and Missile Systems Center at Los Angeles Air Force Base, the faculties at the Defense Language Institute and the Navy Postgraduate School in Monterey, the flight testing and operational training activities at Edwards Air Force Base, and the unmanned aerial vehicle real-time capability currently operational at Beale Air Force Base all are key to California's competitive technical future.