Business Leader Says Money Alone Won't Drive State Transportation Deal

Business leaders such as Rob Lapsley of the California Business Roundtable say, to be successful, lawmakers must focus on more than just raising new funds.

“You can’t just talk about throwing more money at an issue," Lapsley told Capital Public Radio. "It has to come with fundamental changes that will improve our efficiencies and delivery.” 

To gain the backing of business groups, moderate Democrats and Republicans, Lapsley said any deal must include measures that speed up approvals for transportation projects and the delivery of money to them.

State Sen. Bill Dodd, who represents the northern San Francisco Bay Area, is one of many business-friendly Democrats who could be key to reaching a deal. He supports raising new revenue, and says road repairs will only get more expensive.

“If we just continue to ignore our deferred maintenance," Dodd said, "that in essence is a massive tax over time on all of our constituents.” 

Dodd has co-authored a bill, SB 1, that would raise $6 billion dollars a year for road and transit repairs. It would increase the gas tax 12 cents per gallon over three years. It would also hike the vehicle registration fee by $38 a year and impose a $100 annual fee on zero-emission vehicles such as electric cars.

The bill is part of a larger 'California Rebuild' package of infrastructure proposals issued last week by state Democrats. The initiatives would raise money for transportation, housing, water and parks improvements. 

Democrats say California's freeway system faces a nearly $60 billion maintenance shortfall over the next decade. Funding for repairs, which rely on gas tax revenue, has dwindled as cars have become more fuel-efficient.