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Gov. Schwarzenegger Joins Nation’s Governors to Make Investment in Aging Infrastructure a Federal Priority

Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger today welcomed 13 new governors to the "Building America's Future" coalition, which seeks renewed federal investment in the nation's aging infrastructure. "Building America's Future" was launched last month in Los Angeles by Governor Schwarzenegger, Pennsylvania Governor Edward Rendell and New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg. 

Joining "Building America's Future" today are:

• Governor Charlie Crist, Florida
• Governor Eliot Spitzer, New York
• Governor Martin O'Malley, Maryland
• Governor Janet Napolitano, Arizona
• Governor Jon Corzine, New Jersey
• Governor Deval Patrick, Massachusetts
• Governor John Baldacci, Maine
• Governor Donald Carcieri, Rhode Island
• Governor Jim Douglas, Vermont
• Governor Christine Gregoire, Washington
• Governor Jennifer Granholm, Michigan
• Governor Tim Kaine, Virginia
• Governor Bill Ritter, Colorado

"We have Republicans, Democrats and Independents from all across the nation.  And we are joining together for one reason - to force Washington to get serious about strengthening our nation's infrastructure. Everyone here knows this is a big national problem that affects our economy and endangers our communities," said Governor Schwarzenegger.

"An efficient, well-planned and developed infrastructure is essential if America is to compete in the global economic marketplace," said Governor Rendell. "We need to build America's future, brick by brick, and the support of governors from across the country is the first critical brick because it shows that local and state governments cannot continue to do it alone. Infrastructure is a federal challenge.  It requires a federal commitment of resources."

The coalition is comprised of elected and executive officials serving at the state and local levels of government. In the short term, the coalition will work with presidential candidates and the platform committees of the national political parties to ensure that the next president understands the enormity of the infrastructure crisis and is committed to increasing federal funding.  In the long term, the coalition will serve as a repository of best practices on infrastructure funding issues and become a think tank focusing on emerging infrastructure issues.

"Last month, our representatives in Washington missed an important opportunity when they passed an economic stimulus package that did not include the kind of infrastructure investments that create jobs and spur economic growth over the long term," said Mayor Bloomberg, who was unable to attend today's event. "We can't afford to continue taking such a short-sighted approach. We need a new federal commitment to investing in the infrastructure America needs, not the pork-barrel projects politicians want. Mayors and governors understand how important this is - that's why we've formed this non-partisan coalition, and it's encouraging to see it continue to grow today."

"States have been at the forefront of innovation when it comes to finding solutions and alternatives for delivering our transportation needs. Today, we call on our federal partners to commit to increase their investment and provide states with the flexibility needed to deliver the first class transportation system our citizens deserve," said Florida Governor Charlie Crist.

Sound infrastructure is critical to American competiveness, quality of life, environmental sustainability and public safety.  The American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE) gave U.S. infrastructure a "D" letter grade and estimates that over the next five years the U.S. will need $1.6 trillion of infrastructure. ASCE estimates that:

• 71 percent of California's major roads are in poor or mediocre condition;
• California loses 222 million gallons of water a day due to leaking pipes; and
• 87 percent of California's schools have at least one unsatisfactory environmental condition.

California's economic growth and environmental leadership are closely tied to improving how infrastructure is built, operated and maintained. The Department of Finance estimates that California needs $500 billion worth of infrastructure over the next two decades. Governor Schwarzenegger is committed to further boosting economic growth, preserving our environment, enhancing services for citizens and getting taxpayers the most for their money by strengthening how California plans, finances and delivers infrastructure projects.

In his State of the State address Governor Schwarzenegger proposed a set of new policies to leverage partnerships with the private sector, increase synergy between public agencies and educate thousands of new engineers to build the California of tomorrow. To achieve this, the Governor proposed:

• Establishing a Strategic Growth Council to coordinate Strategic Growth Plan (SGP) projects and spending. The five-member Council will help state agencies allocate SGP money in ways that best promote efficiency, sustainability and support the Governor's economic and environmental goals.
• Expanding the types of projects, services and government entities that can enter into Performance Based Infrastructure (PBI) - also known as public-private partnerships - arrangements.
• Establishing "PBI California," a center for excellence to help determine which state projects can benefit from PBI, to represent the state in negotiations with PBI participants, ensure transparency and monitor performance. This will empower California to build, operate and maintain infrastructure better, faster and for less.
• Bringing approximately 20,000 new engineers into California's workforce over the next decade by expanding existing educational programs and building new partnerships between our schools, the military and the private sector.

In addition, to date, the Governor has proposed:

• Legislation to increase the speed and efficiency of transportation projects built with transportation funds, including Proposition 1B funds, part of the historic infrastructure bond package approved by voters in 2006.
• Design-build legislation to ensure that projects using transportation funds, including Proposition 1B bond funding, can be delivered more quickly, saving taxpayer dollars.
• A $2 billion bond for the courts that will be leveraged with PBI financing to speed delivery, expand the number of projects and ensure California's courthouses are properly maintained.

In 2006, California voters approved a historic infrastructure bond package - championed by the Governor - authorizing $42 billion in general obligation bonds for education, housing, levee repair, flood control, parks and transportation. In 2007, Governor Schwarzenegger signed the Public Safety and Offender Rehabilitation Services Act of 2007 (AB 900) authorizing $7.65 billion to address California's prison overcrowding.