Post by Logan on Jan 23, 2016 6:15:57 GMT -6
SACRAMENTO — California needs to stay focused on building a reserve fund for an inevitable recession and anticipate that new taxes will be needed to pay for crumbling roads and bridges, Gov. Jerry Brown said in a State of the State speech Thursday that was big on chores, short on glamour.
The state’s $77 billion in deferred maintenance — primarily for fixing roads, highways and bridges — is a problem that must be addressed, the four-term governor told lawmakers in his 14th State of the State speech.
“That means at some point, sooner rather than later, we have to bite the bullet and enact new fees and taxes for this purpose,” Brown, 77, said. “Ideology and politics stand in the way, but one way or another the roads must be fixed.”
Brown spent much of his 20-minute speech recounting what California has accomplished in recent years, telling lawmakers he would not propose new programs. Instead, Brown said his focus this year will be on how the state will pay for commitments it has already made and brace itself for the next recession.
Continued at www.sfgate.com/politics/article/Gov-Jerry-Brown-says-state-must-pay-debt-new-6774764.php .
The state’s $77 billion in deferred maintenance — primarily for fixing roads, highways and bridges — is a problem that must be addressed, the four-term governor told lawmakers in his 14th State of the State speech.
“That means at some point, sooner rather than later, we have to bite the bullet and enact new fees and taxes for this purpose,” Brown, 77, said. “Ideology and politics stand in the way, but one way or another the roads must be fixed.”
Brown spent much of his 20-minute speech recounting what California has accomplished in recent years, telling lawmakers he would not propose new programs. Instead, Brown said his focus this year will be on how the state will pay for commitments it has already made and brace itself for the next recession.
Continued at www.sfgate.com/politics/article/Gov-Jerry-Brown-says-state-must-pay-debt-new-6774764.php .