Hot Topics in Infrastructure »
Infrastructure
Like the national infrastructure, California infrastructure including roads, highways, bridges, power plants, waterways, and buildings need to be significantly upgraded. However, the financial reality dictates that such ambitious California infrastructure projects must be properly prioritized and funded within the bounds of a balanced budget. Critical upgrades must be undertaken with transparency, accountability, and frugality at a time when the state is facing years of enormous deficits. Independent voters will be looking to balance economic feasibility with much-need California infrastructure enhancement over the next few years.
The 1969 oil spill off of Santa Barbara that killed nearly 4,000 birds and ruined some of the state’s finest beaches is about to take one more victim: the offshore drilling proposal by the Plains Exploration and Production Company (also known as PXP).
Governor Schwarzenegger and Lt. Governor nominee, Abel Maldonado, made a brief visit to San Luis Obispo. Touring REC Solar, one of the nation's largest solar panel installers, the Governor was also scheduled to discuss his latest jobs initiative.
Al Jazreera's english satellite covered the Obama administration's allocation of $2.25 billion to California's up and coming high-speed train. Some believe that the train, expected to take at least a decade to fully complete, will boost economic output and create thousands of new jobs in the golden state
Though far below the requested $4.7 billion, the state's high-speed rail project will receive $2.25 billion in federal stimulus funds to move ahead with construction. While the project is projected to be a boon for job creation and infrastructure development, key questions remain.
San Diego is leading the way on cutting edge green technology. Rated the nation's top "solar city", San Diego contains approximately 2,200 rooftop installations. In addition, it is home to 265 green tech companies and is developing wind, solar, biofuel, and other alternative technologies that could serve as catalysts for ecological preservation and economic stimulation.
President Obama has rewarded 183 "green" corporations with $2.3 billion of tax credits to develop alternative energies and hire domestic workers. The administration's decision, hailed especially in the golden state, predicts a substantial boost to a battered manufacturing sector, 17,000 new jobs by 2013, and $5 billion in additional private sector investment.
Last Sunday, 60 Minutes aired a story on California's water crisis. In this preview clip, which led up to the feature story, Lesley Stahl spoke with the Governor and a local farmer. With 38 million people, an inadequate water infrastructure, and a bad drought, the golden state is facing a crisis that could soon spike food prices across the country.
As I campaign up and down the 36th congressional district, I hear the same question over and over- What are you going to do to create jobs? I tell people that I will continue to work for a "Green New Deal", modeled after the New Deal of the Great Depression. With approximately $200 billion left over from the $700 billion Wall St.
The California Water Alliance drew attention to high unemployment, fallow fields, and food pantry lines in the Central Valley. Severe drought, Depression-era unemployment rates, and a lack of stable water supply continues to take its toll on farmers and families.
On Thursday, December 10, a California judge declared null a pact which would have allowed Imperial Valley water suppliers (such as the Imperial Irrigation District) to sell up to 100 billion gallons of water annually to San Diego, Coachella and Los Angeles water suppliers, such as the San Diego Water Authority and the Metropolitan Water District of Southern California.
Your Political District »
FIND YOUR REPRESENTATIVES
FEATURED WEEKLY COLUMN »
An insider’s look at what's happening in Sacramento.
