The "Rail" (Real) Economy
The economic melt down on Wall Street shouldn't mean that California workers and industries have to go without jobs and contracts. Proposition 1A, the High Speed Rail Initiative has the potential to bring economic prosperity to California by supplying non-exportable jobs, contracts for regional industry, commerce-supporting affordable transportation and safe investment opportunities for investors escaping Wall Street. And there is an added benefit to Proposition 1A. Unlike the paper traded on Wall Street, Proposition 1A will result in an enduring infrastructure legacy that will spur California's economy for generations into the future.
MEASURE 'Z'
The Transportation Agency has been working with its member agencies and community stakeholders over the past two years to prepare a plan that will provide adequate funding for critical transportation projects throughout Monterey county. As a result of this effort, Measure Z: Investment Plan for Monterey County Transportation is on the November 4, 2008 ballot. If passed, Measure Z will fund highway safety and congestion relief projects, local road and street maintenance, transit projects including increased frequency of bus service, regional bicycle and pedestrian facilities, smart growth transportation incentives and habitat mitigation for road projects.
Regional Impact Fees
Critical transportation projects will soon receive much needed funding after all Monterey County cities and the County approved a countywide plan to collect development impact fees from new developments in Monterey County. Many years in the making, the Regional Development Impact Fee went into effect on August 27, 2008, which was also the date of the first meeting of the governing body, the Regional Development Impact Fee Joint Powers Agency. As a major source of new vehicle traffic, growth will pay its fair share towards regional transportation with the passage of this fee. Many cities have their own traffic impact fees for local roads, but this is the first countywide effort. |
