HUFF IS INSTRUMENTAL IN EXPEDITING LEGISLATION TO CREATE JOBS IN ORANGE COUNTY
California Political Desk
February 26, 2010
Sacramento — Instrumental in introducing legislation that helps create jobs in the 29th District, Senator Bob Huff (R – Diamond Bar) this week stood up on the Senate Floor to voice his support of a measure that will allow infrastructure projects throughout California to be started now, rather than waiting for the state to sell bonds.
Assembly Bill 8x 11 provides local transportation agencies with a mechanism to get state approval to fast track the construction of infrastructure projects authorized under Proposition 116 by fronting their own revenues and being reimbursed when bond funds become available.
"Last year we passed a bill that would allow local transportation agencies to front the funds for projects that are part of Proposition 1B and then be reimbursed once the bonds are sold," commented Senator Bob Huff. "AB 8x 11 applies that same authority to Proposition 116 projects and allows us to jump start state projects and create jobs sooner. All of this at no cost to the state."
In 1990, the City of Irvine received $125 million in Proposition 116 funding for a fixed-guideway project. The City determined that its original project would not be ready to move forward by the deadline and last year partnered with the OCTA to reallocate $121.3 million to five intercity/commuter rail projects in Orange County in February 2009. OCTA is moving quickly to put these funds to work on critical projects in Orange County.
However, with the state´s ongoing fiscal crisis, the resulting slowdown in bond sales has begun to impact project delivery schedules for many critical infrastructure projects. Some funding programs within Proposition 1B contain very specific project delivery deadlines, which creates a unique need for advance spending authority for these projects.
"In my district, there are pending Proposition 116 projects that, with this bill, we will jump start in the same way by passing this measure. These are projects that have cleared their environmental phase and are ready to begin construction within this fiscal year," Senator Huff said.
"As the State continues to struggle with bond sales, AB 8x 11 would keep mass transportation projects moving forward," continued Senator Huff. "It fast tracks the construction of vital infrastructure projects and provides jobs for Californians in the midst of this economic crisis."
"This bill provides a needed boost to the construction industry and the jobs that will be created. Our industry has lost over 116,300 the last two years and the job creation represented by AB x8 11 could not come at a more important time," said David Ackerman, who represents the Associated General Contractors, California´s largest construction trade association.
"The Orange County Transportation Authority stands ready to nearly triple the state´s investment in infrastructure and deliver $410 million in projects that create over 6,000 jobs as a result of the Legislature´s action," said Jerry Amante, Chairman of the Board of Directors or OCTA. "We are thrilled to partner with the state to keep projects moving and jumpstart the economy, and we appreciate the Legislature and Governor´s efforts to fast-track this bill."
With this authority, OCTA would almost immediately begin to fund the largest chunk of their Prop 116 project – a $183 million Metrolink track expansion and series of grade separations.
AB 8x 11 passed off both the Senate and Assembly Floors and now heads to the Governor´s office.
Assembly Bill 8x 11 provides local transportation agencies with a mechanism to get state approval to fast track the construction of infrastructure projects authorized under Proposition 116 by fronting their own revenues and being reimbursed when bond funds become available.
"Last year we passed a bill that would allow local transportation agencies to front the funds for projects that are part of Proposition 1B and then be reimbursed once the bonds are sold," commented Senator Bob Huff. "AB 8x 11 applies that same authority to Proposition 116 projects and allows us to jump start state projects and create jobs sooner. All of this at no cost to the state."
In 1990, the City of Irvine received $125 million in Proposition 116 funding for a fixed-guideway project. The City determined that its original project would not be ready to move forward by the deadline and last year partnered with the OCTA to reallocate $121.3 million to five intercity/commuter rail projects in Orange County in February 2009. OCTA is moving quickly to put these funds to work on critical projects in Orange County.
However, with the state´s ongoing fiscal crisis, the resulting slowdown in bond sales has begun to impact project delivery schedules for many critical infrastructure projects. Some funding programs within Proposition 1B contain very specific project delivery deadlines, which creates a unique need for advance spending authority for these projects.
"In my district, there are pending Proposition 116 projects that, with this bill, we will jump start in the same way by passing this measure. These are projects that have cleared their environmental phase and are ready to begin construction within this fiscal year," Senator Huff said.
"As the State continues to struggle with bond sales, AB 8x 11 would keep mass transportation projects moving forward," continued Senator Huff. "It fast tracks the construction of vital infrastructure projects and provides jobs for Californians in the midst of this economic crisis."
"This bill provides a needed boost to the construction industry and the jobs that will be created. Our industry has lost over 116,300 the last two years and the job creation represented by AB x8 11 could not come at a more important time," said David Ackerman, who represents the Associated General Contractors, California´s largest construction trade association.
"The Orange County Transportation Authority stands ready to nearly triple the state´s investment in infrastructure and deliver $410 million in projects that create over 6,000 jobs as a result of the Legislature´s action," said Jerry Amante, Chairman of the Board of Directors or OCTA. "We are thrilled to partner with the state to keep projects moving and jumpstart the economy, and we appreciate the Legislature and Governor´s efforts to fast-track this bill."
With this authority, OCTA would almost immediately begin to fund the largest chunk of their Prop 116 project – a $183 million Metrolink track expansion and series of grade separations.
AB 8x 11 passed off both the Senate and Assembly Floors and now heads to the Governor´s office.
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