News and Press Releases - 2006

Business, Transportation and Housing Agency Secretary Sunne Wright McPeak Showcases Governor's Strategic Growth Plan on Transportation

State Business, Transportation and Housing Agency (BTH) Secretary Sunne Wright McPeak testified yesterday on behalf of Gov. Schwarzenegger's Strategic Growth Plan (SGP) during the state Senate Transportation and Housing Committee Informational Hearing on Senate Bill 1165 (Dutton), which would place before voters the Congestion Reduction, Clean Air and Trade Corridor Bond Acts of 2006 ($6 billion) and 2008 ($6 billion).

Secretary McPeak was accompanied by CalEPA Secretary Alan Lloyd who described what the SGP Air Bond funding would address. In addition, BTH Under Secretary Barry Sedlik discussed the SGP Goods Movement component and Caltrans Director Will Kempton outlined details related to the SGP Transportation proposal.

"The Governor's Strategic Growth Plan for transportation is outcomes-based, performance driven, and focused on reducing congestion, decreasing travel times, and increasing safety," Secretary McPeak said. "Gov. Schwarzenegger is committed to improving mobility and the quality-of-life for all Californians."

McPeak added that the governor's goal is to accommodate growth during the next decade while reducing congestion below today's levels. She said his SGP for transportation envisions a 21st Century multi-modal world-class transportation system that goes hand-in-hand with cleaner air and a high-quality environment.

The overall 10-year $107 billion transportation investment plan ($105 billion for capital construction and $2 for air-quality improvements related to goods movement activities) relates to the statewide system and complements what the local and regional agencies already have planned. All modes of transportation are addressed including highways, transit, inter-city rail, bus rapid transit, carpooling, and bicycle and pedestrian paths.

Funding includes $47 billion in existing transportation funding sources such as the gas tax, Proposition 42 and federal funds. A total of $48 billion in new funding is proposed from leveraging existing funds to attract increased federal, private and local funding, as well as using revenue bonds repaid from state gas tax and federal funds. The remaining $12 billion is proposed to be derived from General Obligation (GO) bonds.

"This is the first time a governor has insisted on performance measures and accountability to achieve the most mobility for each dollar invested," Secretary McPeak said. "The governor is determined to get the most mobility out of each transportation buck."