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Gov. Pushes Massive Rebuilding Plan
PRI in the News
1.6.2006
ABC News, January 6, 2006
By Nannette Miranda
KGO - Just two months ago Governor Schwarzenegger had a
tough time selling his special election budget cutting
plan. Now he seems to have done a 180 degree turn. He
outlined a huge borrowing and spending plan in his state
of the state message last night, and tonight, he's
already selling it.
Just one day after giving his state of the state speech,
Governor Schwarzenegger was already trying to sell
Californians on his very expensive plan to overhaul the
state's neglected infrastructure, especially roads,
schools and levees.
Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger, R-California: "All the
infrastructure we're talking about has to be tied to
fiscal responsibility and to live within our means and to
balance our budget and without raising taxes."
Last night, the governor said his $222 billion plan would
require the state to borrow nearly $70 billion through
voter-approved bonds.
He sounded like the last Democrat who successfully
overhauled the state's infrastructure.
Mayor Jerry Brown, D-Oakland: "He seems to be coming to a
conversion to my father's memory, Pat Brown, and all the
building."
Democrats flip-flopped too. They sound like financially
conservative Republicans worried about out of control
spending.
Assm. Mark Leno, D-San Francisco: "He has said we can do
all this and not raise taxes. It can't be done. He says
we balance our budget. We're in deficit spending as we
speak."
The Pacific Research Institute tracks how much the
state spends and calls for financial responsibility.
The group says investing in the future is good, but $70
billion is overwhelming given that for every dollar
borrowed, it takes two dollars to pay it back with
interest.
Anthony Archie, Pacific Research Institute: "I have a
feeling taxes would be raised in the future because we're
going to be servicing this debt for the next thirty
years."
Given this is an election year, this ambitious plan just
might win the Governor his second term because it's one
voters can relate to.
Anthony Archie: "I think that there's enough public
support for this, that he will still be re-elected based
upon solely this issue."
Nannette Miranda is a reporter and Sacramento bureau
chief for ABC News, Channel 7. She can be reached at
Nannette.Miranda@abc.com.
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