California Alliance for Jobs: Transportation, Local Government, Business, Labor and...

California Alliance for Jobs: Transportation, Local Government, Business,
Labor and Transit Advocates Launch Radio Ads Opposing Plans to Raid
Transportation Funding to Balance State Budget
Ad Campaign Will Educate Voters About Destructive Proposals

**Sacramento Press Conference Advisory**

SACRAMENTO -- California Alliance for Jobs and Transportation advocates,
local government leaders, labor, business and transit advocates will hold a
press conference Wednesday at the State Capitol to condemn a rumored proposal
to raid the state sales tax on gasoline (Prop. 42 funds) to balance this
year's state budget. The group unveils new radio ads to begin airing heavily
statewide on Wednesday to educate the voters about this plan, explaining how
it is fiscally irresponsible and bad for transportation and transit projects
in their communities. The ads will air in LA, Bay Area, San Diego, Sacramento,
Fresno, Modesto, Bakersfield, and Merced.
When: Wednesday, July 23, 10:30 a.m.

Where: State Capitol, Fish Pond (East side of Capitol)

Who:

-- Jim Earp, Executive Director, California Alliance for Jobs
-- Allan Zaremberg, President & CEO, California Chamber of Commerce
-- Jim Madaffer, San Diego City Council Member and President, League of
California Cities
-- Mark Watts, Executive Director, Transportation California
-- Josh Shaw, Executive Director, California Transit Association
-- Additional local government, transportation and business
representatives.

Background: Seventy-seven percent (77%) of California voters passed Prop.
1A in 2006 to ensure the state sales tax on gasoline is used
only for transportation projects and improvements, as
originally intended when Prop. 42 first passed in 2002. This
overwhelming vote should have sent an unequivocal mandate to
Sacramento policymakers. However, some members of the
legislature are talking about raiding these gas tax funds as
part of a borrowing scheme to address this year's budget
shortfall.

Democratic leaders and the Governor have indicated they
oppose borrowing Prop. 42 funds to balance this year's
budget. However, raiding Prop. 42 funds continues to be
discussed as part of a budget deal, groups participating in
Wednesday's news conference feel it's necessary to educate
the voters about this irresponsible plan.

Borrowing transportation dollars is bad fiscal policy. The
money must be repaid in three years with steep interest,
which will put the state further in the red. Additionally,
even a short term deferral of these funds will derail
critical transportation and transit projects in communities
throughout the state. And lastly, it's a direct assault on
the will of California voters, who have overwhelmingly passed
measures to protect these funds from such raids and
borrowing.

CONTACT: Kathy Fairbanks (916) 443-0872/(916) 813-1010 cell

SOURCE California Alliance for Jobs