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$- ¿;- PROP 42 from page 1 .............................................. Mayors, councilmembers and other local officials spoke about transportation problems in their respective cities ranging from road conditions to traffic congestion, and how restoration of Prop. 42 funds would im- prove their communi- ties. In San Diego, Stephen Finnegan, the Automobile Club of Southern California's manager for transpor- tation policy, analysis and advocacy, re- vealed that a recent federal study of the nation's roads and highways showed that 80 percent of the roads in San Diego County are in poor or medio'cre condition. Roger Horton and Buellton Mayor Russ Hicks at the Santa Barbara conference. Thanks to all these city officials for their help in getting the word out about the importance of fully funding Prop. 421 The Road Information Program (TRIP) Report, releasedjustoverhNc weeks ago, reported that five out of the top-10 worst metropolitan areas are located in California - illustrating the impact that lack of adequate funding for transportation im- provements is having on California's roadway system. , I The press confer- ences generated media coverage from most major outlets, including local ABC, NBC, CBS, and Univision television affiliates, and a variety of print newspaper and radio reporters. San Diego County Supervisor Ron Roberts, along with city otrIclals and business leaders, address the media regarding their support for full restoration of Prop. 42 transportation funds. "If those roads continue to deteriorate, the cost of repairing them goes up exponentially, so in the end, we will all save dollars if we can use the money now," he said, Brad Barnum of the San Diego Regional Chamber of Commerce, agreed, adding that a reduction in traffic problems will also help bolster the area economically. "Less traffic congestion makes San Diego more attractive to potential businesses and employees," he explained. "But we need adequate transportation infrastructure to support a growing population," , City spokespersons at the press conferences included Modesto Mayor Jim Ridenour and Tur1ock Councilmember Billy Wallen at the Modesto press conference; the Mayor of Lemon Grove, Mary Sessom, at the San Diego press conference; Seaside Mayor Ralph Rubio at the Monterey press conference; and Santa Barbara Councilmember The most recent statewide survey of city and county needs for the local transportation system was from the SR 8 (Burton) report in 1999. The report found a backlog of $11 billion in needed repairs - which due to maintenance deferrals is estimated at approximately $13 billion today. Gov. Schwarzenegger's "May Revise" budget proposed full Prop. 42 funding ($1.3 billion) for transportation projects, including funds including $381 million that will go to local governments for street, road and transit projects. Both the Assem- bly and Senate budget subcommittees adopted the governor's proposal. However, there are still major differences on the budget betvJeen the Democratic legislative leadership and the adminis- tration. While discussions ensue on these issues, city officials and their LOCAL partners believe that it is imperative that legislators pass a budget that includes full funding of Prop. 42. Visit the league's Official Website--www.cacities.org PRIORITY FOCUS/PAGE 5