First Public Meeting Of Redirected Gas Tax Funds Will Take Place In Fresno
The issue of moving funding from state highway improvements to state rail systems will be up for public opinion
By Evan Symon, November 2, 2019 6:56 am
The first public meeting over the controversial redirection of state highway improvement funding will take place in Fresno on November 15th.
The meeting is a direct result of Governor Newsom’s Executive Order N-19-19, which shifted gas tax funding from highway repairs to railways and other projects in California. The widening of Highway 99 in Tulare and Madera Counties, as well as a widening on Highway 46 in San Luis Obispo, were the first highway projects cut by the executive order.
Assemblyman Jim Patterson (R-Fresno) wrote to the California Transportation Commission last month expressing his concern that a local meeting wasn’t going to be held on the issue. The Commission agreed with Assemblyman Patterson and announced a public comment meeting in Fresno, in addition to another meeting in Modesto.
Assemblyman Patterson, whose district includes Highway 99, has been one of the largest critics of N-19-19. He has made impassioned speeches and written letters condemning the redirection of gas tax funds.
“This is theft of our gas taxes by Executive Order. Governor Newsom is intentionally starving us out of our roads. Voters approved SB 1 with the promise that our crumbling highways would get the attention they deserve. Instead of building capacity, our gas tax funds are being siphoned off to fund Newsom’s favored pet-projects,” stated Assemblyman Patterson as reported by the Globe last month. “Governor Newsom’s promise not to forget about the Central Valley is full of hot air, just like his climate plan.”
Assemblyman Jordan Cunningham (R-San Luis Obispo) has been another vocal critic. Like Highway 99 and Patterson’s District, Highway 46 runs through Cunningham’s district. And like Highway 99, Highway 46 is in dire need of widening and repairs.
“The widening of Highway 46 provides not only carries an economic benefit, but a safety one as well,” stated Assemblyman Cunningham recently in a letter. “The Highway 41/46 corridor in San Luis Obispo County, otherwise known as Blood Alley, has seen a fatality rate three times higher than the state average.”
With incensed local citizens and equally angry Assembly members, the first public meetings on the gas tax redirection is expected to be heated from all sides.
The Fresno meeting will be held at the Fresno Council of Governments Building on November 15th at 11 A.M. All members of the public with comment are welcome.
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Keep in mind that MoonBeam also stole the Water Bond money after we were promised that Moonbeam would build water holding facilities and reservoirs before we passed it… Another demoRat lie folks. The first thing that the crooked governor did was buy land in downtown Sacto for a shiny new government building and then.. He started buying Wetlands to protect from development. Zero water facilities. Is anyone tired of this wanna be authorial dictator that lies for a living and then appoints an energy czar who has no Creds, and her only qualifications a re she’s.. Gay, Has a BA in political science and women’s studies and her family in Puerto Rico own the power company there and she sits on the board. This is corruption at the highest level and Nancy Obama, Arnold have all put her in high govenemt positions like Covered California were that program is cratering. We need leadership and a republican party to step up and end the nightmare that has become Kalifornia.
–Fool We the People once, shame on the #DemParty.
–Fool We the People twice, shame on We the People.
–Fool We the People over and over again [e.g. “we’ll use your gas tax money to repair the roads,” “if you like your plan…”, the Benghazi terrorist attack was caused by an Internet video, “hands up don’t shoot, Trump-Russia collusion], heap loads of the shame on We the People.
It’s astonishing to think they would ever dream of diverting highway funds in these times.
You poor Californians must feel like Charlie Brown when Lucy hold the football for you to kick. You always end up on your back, but keep coming back for more.
I’m moving to Wyoming!!
I don’t care!!!
Can I carpool with you?!
STILL VOTING DEMOCRAT? God help us as they destroy, pillage, and oppress the citizens that are so ignorant of what they are doing.