Through an Executive Order, California Governor Gavin Newsom has redirected gas tax money to fund railway systems and other projects. The gas tax revenue would have repaired and upgraded the state’s broken highways and roads.
Californians pay the highest gas prices in the nation, most of which is taxes.
Of vital concern, Newsom’s latest road plan for California eliminates two important highway expansion projects on vital freight corridors in Central California.
Governor Newsom signed Executive Order N-19-19 September 20, directing the already controversial gas tax money away from fixing local highways in favor of rail projects.
Assemblyman Jim Patterson (R-Fresno) recently explained that in the 2020 Transportation Plan are two projects that would have increased stretches of Highway 99 from four to six lanes in the Central Valley. Patterson says that a Cal Trans’ report even notes the “bottleneck” created at these sections along this major freight corridor.
“Instead of building capacity on our highways to move people and freight, Governor Newsom is funding his pet rail projects throughout the state,” Patterson said. “This theft of funds meant to improve our roadways is a glimpse into the future of transportation in our state and Newsom continues to execute his September 2019 Climate Change Executive Order. The Central Valley is just the beginning. Other road projects will likely be next.”
“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,” Patterson said. “Governor Newsom’s promise not to forget about the Central Valley is full of hot air, just like his climate plan.”
Gov. Newsom’s office issued a press statement to explain the plan, just ahead of Climate Week:
Transportation Systems: The California State Transportation Agency (CalSTA) is directed to invest its annual portfolio of $5 billion toward construction, operations and maintenance to help reverse the trend of increased fuel consumption and reduce greenhouse gas emissions associated with the transportation sector. CalSTA, in consultation with the Department of Finance, is also directed to align transportation spending, programming and mitigation with the state’s climate goals to achieve the objectives of the state’s Climate Change Scoping Plan, where feasible. Specifically the Governor is ordering a focus for transportation investments near housing, and on managing congestion through innovative strategies that encourage alternatives to driving.
CBS47 said, “It calls for leveraging billion in annual state transportation funds to reduce greenhouse gases and emissions.”
Assemblyman Patterson says, “One of the very first things Governor Newsom decides to do, is put forward an executive order and his people at Caltrans have decided they are going to terminate addition north and south freeway lanes on Highway 99 in Tulare and Madera County. I’m almost speechless with response to this,” CBS47 reported. “When you pay for gas and you pay a gas tax, a railroad is not a highway. This is bait and switch. This is saying one thing and doing something else. I just think all who represent California both Democrats and Republicans have better step up and stand up and say Mr. Governor you can’t do this.”
California’s roads and highways are a disaster waiting to happen, thanks to decades of neglect by the state.
California’s largest state budget ever — $215 billion — is larded with a record number of local pork-barrel projects injected by individual legislators, often in exchange for “horse trading” votes on passage of certain pieces of legislation – including transportation and resources spending, as the Globe outlined in June. The $230,650,000 million of extra spending in Resources and Transportation can make your head swim. So why did the governor need to take gas tax revenue if there is plenty of money for pork projects?
In his State of the State address, Newsom focused on affordable housing goals: “He also called out how the Legislature has expedited judicial review on California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) for wealthy professional sports teams owners – the most recent exemption was done by then-Senator Darrell Steinberg for Sacramento’s Golden 1 Arena, home of the Sacramento Kings. “It’s time we do the same thing for housing,” Newsom said. Then he said that home builders and labor leaders are working together to forge a compromise to accelerate production. ‘If we want a California for All, we have to build housing for all.’”
Just last week, Newsom vowed to accelerate the deadline for communities to meet their mandated short-term housing goals to two years from three. “Our state’s affordability crisis is undermining the California Dream and the foundations of our economic well-being,” said Newsom, “Families should be able to live near where they work. They shouldn’t live in constant fear of eviction or spend their whole paycheck to keep a roof overhead,” the Sacramento Bee reported.
He vowed to “spend $1.75 billion to entice communities to build more.”
Newsom threatened to take money from gas tax bill, Senate Bill 1 by Sen. Pres. Toni Atkins (D-San Diego), and ‘redirect’ those funds if cities and counties don’t meet his new housing goals.
SB1, was sold to the people based on its name, as was the gas tax repeal initiative: the “Road Repair and Accountability Act.” The tax money, voters believed, was to fund repairs for the state’s aging roads and highways and bridges.
“This legislative package invests $54 billion over the next decade to fix roads, freeways and bridges in communities across California and puts more dollars toward transit and safety,” RebuildingCA.gov detailing SB 1 says. “These funds will be split equally between state and local investments.”
“California’s state-maintained transportation infrastructure will receive roughly half of SB 1 revenue: $26 billion. The other half will go to local roads, transit agencies and an expansion of the state’s growing network of pedestrian and cycle routes. Each year, this new funding will be used to tackle deferred maintenance needs both on the state highway system and the local road system, including:
Maintenance and Rehabilitation of the State Highway System: $1.8 billion
Maintaining and Repairing the State’s Bridges and Culverts: $400 million
Repairs to Local Streets and Roads: $1.5 billion
Matching Funds for Local Agencies: $200 million
Bike and Pedestrian Projects: $100 million
Freeway Service Patrol: $25 million
New Funding to Transit Agencies: over $750 million
Trade Corridor Enhancement Program: $300 million
Solutions for Congested Corridors Program: $250 million
Local Planning Grants: $25 million
Transportation-Related Research at state universities: $7 million
Workforce Training Programs: $5 million
Proposition 69 Violation
In 2018, Californians also overwhelmingly passed California Proposition 69, the Transportation Taxes and Fees Lockbox and Appropriations Limit Exemption Amendment. Prop. 69 requires that revenue from the diesel sales tax and Transportation Improvement Fee enacted by the Road Repair and Accountability Act of 2017 be used for transportation-related purposes; and exempt revenue generated by SB 1’s tax increases and fee schedules from the state appropriations limit.
CBS47 said they contacted Caltrans about its report to delete the widening projects on Highway 99. A spokesperson said she hadn’t seen the report. California State Transportation Agency released a statement regarding this report:
“The state is confronting the climate crisis head on. In doing so, Caltrans will use available transportation dollars to prioritize projects that manage congestion and reduce vehicle miles traveled in order to curb greenhouse gas emissions. Those who claim the state is canceling projects funded by gas tax dollars are incorrect. Aligning climate goals with transportation goals requires new thinking, not obstructionism. With the long lead time to plan, design, and construct transportation projects, we must act now to achieve our climate goals.”
CALIFORNIA TRANSPORTATION SECRETARY DAVID S. KIM
Lastly, in what appears to target mostly Republican districts, Gov. Newsom also said in the press statement, “Moving away from internal combustion engines is critical to reduce carbon emissions and to address major pollution issues across the state, especially in the Central Valley and Inland Empire.”
“CARB shall strengthen existing or adopt new regulations to achieve greenhouse gas reductions within the transportation sector.”
“This is worse than a shell game or bait-and-switch,” Patterson said on his Facebook page. “It is taxpayer theft by executive order. Promise voters that road taxes will fix our highways and streets, then siphon off $5 billion for his Climate Change plan – a new scheme to get us to give up our cars.”
View Comments (108)
This shouldn't surprise anyone after all Newsom did try to steal $331 million from homeowners in California and the courts had to order him to return it. Speaks volumes about Newsom's character none of it good.
how about a recall of a government
that overrules the people?
Its started.
https://recallnewsom.us/
There's one going on right now to Re-call Pretty Boy. Sign it and get him out. The same is happening in Oregon. They're turning in petitions for next Monday's deadline. It looks like it has a good shot at getting on the ballot
We have to do the same here. We can no longer afford the luxury of a far-left radical democrat Governor and his pet legislature.
Amen and thank you!
#RecalNewsom for his poor judgement
Already mailed mine and husband’s in. We handed out several petitions to family. We need more grass roots petition tables to get word out. I’m too old and disabled but I hope younger adults will help out.
I totally agree, this governor is all about his pet projects and not a pet people that he supposed to represent the people that voted him in to office what a shame. Governor Newsom needs to be recalled.
Recalls are only for Republican's who win elections!
That doesn't make sense. The last governor to be tasked was Grey Davis, a Democrat. Over vehicle fees.
David also lost $100,000,000.00 in the Texas energy trade deal.
There is a legal petition. Search your area and go sign it. The ones online are no good.
Long overdue!
Long overdue -Recall.
How about we discover what the candidate is going to do before we vote for them. Maybe we will not need to recall them. We just won’t elect them in the first place. The governor indicated his plan to increase taxes before he was elected.
"We" (some of us anyway) knew what Newsom was before he was elected, and therefore didn't vote for him. Apparently you democrats have been fully successful importing hordes of dependent democrat voters from south of the border and around the world.
yes sounds like a great idea. Get rid of these people that serve their own interest. Out with Newshit, I mean Newsom.
What is happening with our recall petitions? We want him out. He was voted in by ILLEGAL ALIENS.
Well, the Democrats voted this fool in, when a vote for the Right would have gotten a team who would NOT have done this kind of grafting/theft Newsom is doing. They voted in the Gas Tax to make this grafting/theft happen, put Newsom in the driver's seat. The Right fought that tooth-and-nail too. Maybe Democrats should vote for who will do the best job rather than blindly support their Party, i.e., the Party of grafting, theft, pork-barrel projects, and ignoring their constituency.
How do some politicians become millionaires? Well, they have pork barrel projects, i.e. "Bullet train" where they can choose which contractor is willing to kick down large some's of money to allow them to become the builder of the project! Simple as that. Period!!!
I strongly suspect that is the source of the "OBAMA" wealth, America's Idi Amin.
Kickbacks that he received from his election bundlers lucrative taxpayer financed 'GREEN ENERGY' contracts which then went bankrupt generated millions for the Obama crime family, while VP Biden had his own family scams operating in China and Russia.
Yes, the swamp certainly needs to be drained, and post haste.
It’s pretty obvious he’s getting hush money.Our roads that tax payers finance are bad,really bad when you think a bullet train is more important than millions of commuters and their safety is not as important as a bullet train with a 150 passengers on it going to LA for the weekend.The sheriff of Knottingham has got to go.!!! It’s blaten disregard of the people of California’s vote. He’s common senseless..Ring Leader of 3 ring circus.
It's very important to sign the recall petition to get this Jackass out of office
Yes. Jerry Brown left California with a surplus what gives #Newsom the right to use the gas tax funds for his own project. Bye bye #Newsom
Jerry Brown DIDN'T leave CA with a surplus. He only changed the bookkeeping to exclude state pensions obligations from the calculations
If people would have voted no on the gas tax this is a non issue....
Why would any sane person vote for higher taxes or bonds?
Misleading Title and Summary fooled enough voters to prevent this theft.
Actually that was Gov. Brown
"State government received $410 million and initially set aside $331 million to educate homeowners and give them legal help. But instead, then-Gov. Jerry Brown (2012) and the Legislature spent most of the money paying off state debts from housing bonds."
Who profits? Those who profit should pay for the infrastructure. Utilities do, corporations do, even churches do. Again, who profits?
recall the crooked bastard. he never should have been elected.
Now he is going to repeal prop 13 for home owners and raise taxes for All. This will mean I can’t afford to keep my home I have owned for 45 years. For renters the rent will go up to offset the tax. We will be forced to leave California. Reduce taxes move out of California. Than who will pay for his special projects.VOTE NO ON PROP 13. Read carefully before you vote
Yep he's all about putting it in his pocket
This cronyist bastard needs to be recalled! I am going to love watching this state crumble finacially as we the hard working, middle class taxpayers tell the money whore Democrats to shove it as we leave this state.
Good article.
I've forwarded this to our reporter Erik Rosales.
He may reach out to you.
Thank you.
Thank you Ken.
Is it time to start referring to high speed rail as Newsome's Folly? He had a chance to stop it, but now seems to be doubling down on replacing roads with even more rail projects.
Wow
California voters are getting exactly the government they voted for. Elections have consequences and an electorate that's indifferent, ignorant or unable to make rational decisions will soon be swamped in poverty, crime and a very bleak future.
Well said, California voters are getting EXACTLY what they voted for!
I personally didn't vote for this corrupt politician!
I didnot vote for any of this nor did I vote for this Governor .
Seriously, what are the voter's thinking of?
Think about it, they are voting for higher taxes.
Why, because all the taxes they already pay have given them so much.
Idiots.
Not ever Californian voted for him. We have an influx of illigals voting also. We need to split the state at the SFGG Bridge. NORTHERN CALIFORNIA and Southern California. I cant even begin to tell you what its like to TAKE THE TIME TO VOTE ONLY TO HAVE BABYMAN NEWSOM ...CHANGE IT TO SERVE HIMSELF. This State isnt going to hell, its there!
Isn't there still an issue in regards to billions of dollars missing of federal funding for rail and other projects?
Someone needs to be held accountable for that before spending more taxpayers money. In my opinion.
This guy's a real piece of work. Everyday things like this make me glad all over again that I left California!
Agenda 21 / 2030 . They have plans for all of us .
Why not ask Newsom about him selling his signature on reference letters to colleges in California for $2,500 a pop? For kids he never met in his life. He did it numerous times while mayor of San Fran.
If you're still living in California and Paying the Criminal Democrat Tyrants.... YOU DESERVE WHAT YOU GET...
IT'S NOT LIKE THIS HAPPENED OVERNIGHT !
This is just another example of democratic policy and the old, bait and switch game. We California’s must recall this govern and give the state back to republican rule. This guy is a must go. Recall Newsome Now
I will not run I will fight for change
Kalifornia has so many problems. All caused by our biggest problem, the political dictatorship in this state. I am all in on a rail system. If it is run by the private sector without our tax dollars. Private toll roads may also be a solution?
Kali Democrats have always had a way of misappropriating earmarked funds. It's in the party's DNA. They also become extremely rich in doing it. Of course, Newsome will get what he wants with the full backing of his Sorosian eunuchs in the state legislature.
Is THIS an impeachable offense under the CA constitutiom...
This guy is PURE SLIME....