Skip to content
CapRadio

CapRadio

signal status listen live donate
listen live donate signal status
listen live donate signal status
  • News
    • topics
    • State Government
    • Environment
    • Health Care
    • Race and Equity
    • Business
    • Arts and Lifestyle
    • Food and Sustainability
    • PolitiFact California
  • Music
    • genres
    • Classical
    • Jazz
    • Eclectic
    • Daily Playlist
  • Programs + Podcasts
    • news
    • Morning Edition
    • All Things Considered
    • Marketplace
    • Insight With Vicki Gonzalez
    • music
    • Acid Jazz
    • At the Opera
    • Classical Music
    • Connections
    • Excellence in Jazz
    • Hey, Listen!
    • K-ZAP on CapRadio
    • Mick Martin's Blues Party
    • Programs A-Z
    • Podcast Directory
  • Schedules
    • News
    • Music
    • ClassicalStream
    • JazzStream
    • Weekly Schedule
    • Daily Playlist
  • Community
    • Events Calendar
    • CapRadio Garden
    • CapRadio Reads
    • Ticket Giveaways
  • Support
    • Evergreen Gift
    • One-Time Gift
    • Corporate Support
    • Vehicle Donation
    • Stock Gift
    • Legacy Gift
    • Endowment Gift
    • Benefits
    • Member FAQ
    • e‑Newsletter
    • Drawing Winners
    • Thank You Gifts
  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Close Menu
 We Get Support From:
Become a Supporter 
 We Get Support From:
Become a Supporter 
  • State Government
  •  

Live Blog: Calif. Legislature Passes Transportation Funding Bill

  •  Ben Adler 
Thursday, April 6, 2017 | Sacramento, CA

UPDATE 11:59pm: Gov. Jerry Brown is claiming victory after the California Legislature approved fuel tax increases and new vehicle fees to pay for road repairs and other transportation projects.

"Tonight, we did something to fix the roads of California," Brown said as he and triumphant lawmakers stepped outside the governor's office to speak with reporters. "This helps people, because their cars aren't going to get as broken as they are under our bad roads, a lot of them are going to get jobs, and it's part of the prosperity of California."

The governor thanked Democrats and the lone Republican to back the bill, Sen. Anthony Cannella (R-Ceres), for taking a politically unpopular vote.

"Some of the arrangements that were entailed in this process, they may look large, but relative to $52 billion, it's all pretty modest," Brown said, responding to GOP criticism that lawmakers were bought off to vote for the bill. The measure's backers "want to face (voters) with the best foot forward, and we want to help them do that.

UPDATE 10:43 p.m.:  The California Assembly has joined the state Senate in raising fuel taxes and vehicle fees to pay for road repairs.

The Assembly debate was delayed late into the evening Thursday because of one lawmaker's medical issue, but that didn't stop the measure from passing with the required two-thirds supermajority.
 
"There's no question that our roads need to be repaired," said Asm. Eloise Gónez Reyes (D-Grand Terrace). "We can't sit here and do nothing."
 
"This massive new tax will not build any new roads, and it will do nothing to fix California's worst-in-the-nation traffic," countered Asm. Travis Allen (R-Huntington Beach).
 
The vote was not without drama, as Asms. Jim Cooper (D-Elk Grove) and Tim Grayson (D-Concord) held out for about 10 minutes before voting yes.
 
The final tally was 54 to 26, with Asm. Rudy Salas (D-Bakersfield) joining Republicans in voting no.
 

UPDATE 7:21 p.m.: The California Senate has approved a transportation funding package that would raise fuel taxes and vehicle fees to pay for road and bridge repairs, public transit and other projects.

It passed on a 27-11 vote -- just enough to reach the two-thirds supermajority threshold required for tax and fee legislation. One Republican, Sen. Anthony Cannella (R-Ceres) joined every Democrat except Sen. Steve Glazer (D-Orinda), who voted no).

Critics slammed the measure for increasing the cost of living for low- and middle-income Californians.

"It is a tax increase that grows over time," Sen. Pat Bates (R-Laguna Niguel) said during the debate. "It never ends."

But supporters, while acknowledging the hardship the tax and fee increases might cause for many Californians, said the money is necessary to fix the state's crumbling roads.

"This actually, with the constitutional amendment, completely locks in funds for transportation purposes," said the bill's author, Sen. Jim Beall (D-San Jose), referring to companion legislation that would place a measure on the June 2018 ballot to block the Legislature from diverting the new tax and fee revenues to other programs"

The measure now moves to the Assembly, where it will also require a two-thirds vote.

040617Adam GrayAsm. Adam Gray (D-Merced) holds up a poster of a transportation project in his district that he negotiated funding for in exchange for voting to raise fuel taxes and vehicle fees.

Update 4:22 p.m.: The transportation funding deal at the California state Capitol is in limbo at this hour.

Gov. Jerry Brown and Democratic legislative leaders appear to have the votes they need in the state Senate but are still working to line up the necessary support in the Assembly.

 So far, they’ve agreed to nearly $1 billion dollars in extra spending for specific transportation projects in the Central Valley and Inland Empire to win votes from wavering lawmakers.

“Too often, our part of the state gets overlooked,” says Asm. Adam Gray (D-Merced), who held out for money for several projects, including a commuter rail extension that would connect his district to the Bay Area.

“Tax dollars get collected and they get sent to the big urban centers. And in this case, we’ve got some significant new investments in the Central Valley where you know what, we’ve got the highest rates of poverty, unemployment, and frankly, some of the worst air quality in the country,” Gray says.

The Central Valley projects will likely also win the support of Sen. Anthony Cannella (R-Ceres), the lone Republican who's shown a willingness to negotiate on the transportation package.

Because of voter-approved Proposition 54, which mandates that all legislation be in print for 72 hours before final Senate and Assembly votes, the Central Valley and Inland Empire projects can't formally be approved today. But Gray says those projects have been put into a separate measure, SB 132, which will be voted on after lawmakers return from spring break later this month. 

“We’ve got the governor, the pro Tem, the Assembly speaker all committed to this deal. We’ve all sat together, we’ve gone over it in detail, we’ve put real language into a bill in public view for everyone to look at. This isn’t being done behind closed doors; there’s no secret handshake deals, it’s right there to see,” Gray says. 

The money for Riverside County is expected to earn votes from Sen. Richard Roth (D-Riverside) and Asm. Sabrina Cervantes (D-Corona).


Update at 12:47 p.m.: The Capitol Insider's Guide to Thursday's transportation funding vote in the California Legislature
 
Here's some guidance on what to look for Thursday as California lawmakers weigh whether to raise fuel taxes and vehicle fees to pay for road repair, transit and other transportation projects:
  • The bill to watch is SB 1 (Beall), which contains the transportation funding deal Gov. Jerry Brown, Assembly Speaker Anthony Rendon (D-Paramount) and Senate President pro Tem Kevin de León (D-Los Angeles) announced last week.
  • Separately, if SB 1 moves forward, there will also be a vote on a constitutional amendment that would protect transportation funding from being diverted for other purposes (think Al Gore's "lockbox"). If approved by the Legislature, this measure -- either ACA 5 (Frazier) or SCA 2 (Newman) -- would be placed on the June 2018 ballot.
  • Because of Proposition 54, the initiative approved by voters last November, all bills (but not constitutional amendments) must be in print for 72 hours before their final votes. SB 1 went into print Monday at 2:39pm. Therefore, although debate can begin on SB 1 at any time, the Senate cannot vote on it until this afternoon at 2:39pm. The constitutional amendment does not face this restriction, so lawmakers can vote on ACA 5 or SCA 2 at any time.
  • SB 1 is currently in the Senate, so that chamber must act first. The pro Tem has called floor session for 1:30pm; the Assembly will gavel in at 2:30pm. Those times could easily be pushed back, but they will not be moved up.
  • There are other bills that are part of this deal -- for example, SB 132 and SB 496 contain legislation sought by two swing votes, Sen. Anthony Cannella (R-Ceres) and Asm. Adam Gray (D-Merced) -- but because they have not been in print for 72 hours, they cannot be brought up for votes today. Instead, lawmakers presumably have been promised by the governor and legislative leaders that their bills will be passed and signed into law.
  • Both bills -- SB 1 and the constitutional amendment -- require two-thirds supermajorities in both houses of the Legislature. In the Senate, that's 27 votes; in the Assembly, it's 54.
  • There are 27 Democrats in the Senate and 55 in the Assembly. Only one Republican, Sen. Cannella, has signaled an openness to voting yes. Therefore, every Democrat must vote yes except one in the Assembly -- and possibly one in the Senate, depending on Cannella.

Update at 12 p.m.: Need a refresher on what the transportation funding deal reached last week by Gov. Jerry Brown and Democratic legislative leaders would actually do? Fear not, we've got you covered.

The deal would raise the following revenues:

  • a 12-cent gasoline excise tax increase, effective November 2017
  • a 20-cent diesel excise tax increase, effective November 2017
  • a four percent diesel sales tax increase, effective November 2017
  • a "transportation improvement fee," similar to the vehicle registration fee that owners already pay the DMV each year, which will assessed at a progressive rate that ranges from $25 to $175 per year based on each vehicle's value, effective January 2018
  • a $100/year zero emission vehicle fee, effective July 2020

And here's a breakdown of where the revenues would go. All dollar totals listed below are annual averages across the first 10 years of the deal, although the available funds will be smallest in the first year (fiscal year 2018-19) and grow each year over time.

  • $1.5 billion for local road repairs
  • $1.5 billion in state highway repairs
  • $750 million for local public transit projects
  • $400 million in bridge and culvert repairs
  • $300 million to improve trade corridors
  • $250 million to reduce congestion on major commute corridors
  • $200 million in matching funds for "self-help" communities that have raised their own revenues for local transportation projects, such as through a city or county sales tax increase
  • $100 million for infrastructure improvements that promote walking and bicycling

The deal also includes a constitutional amendment that the Legislature would place on the June 2018 ballot. It would prohibit spending the new revenues on anything but transportation.


UPDATE 11:30 a.m.: Capitol Bureau Chief Ben Adler will be sending updates as the Legislature is set to vote on the gas tax increase that would fund repairs for roads.

.@AnthonyCannella @AdamGrayCA ...because due to #Prop54, those bills cannot be voted on today.

— Ben Adler (@adlerben) April 6, 2017

 


Listen
/
Update RequiredTo play audio, update browser or Flash plugin.

Original Post: The governor is trying to round up lawmakers for one of the most unpopular votes a politician can take: raising gas taxes and vehicle fees.

“I know there’s a couple of people worried about voting for taxes,“ Brown said Thursday morning at a rally outside the state Capitol, before heading indoors to meet with lawmakers in person. “This is a fee – a fee for the privilege of driving on our roads that the people pay for. And we gotta keep paying for ’em – otherwise, they’re not gonna work for us. It’s just that simple.”

Opponents are fighting hard to kill the deal – or at least delay the vote until after next week’s legislative spring break.

Republican Assemblyman Vince Fong argues the state should spend existing funds on road repairs.

“Over the past six years, general fund spending has gone up $36 billion – and none of that money has gone to roads,“ Fong said after watching the governor's rally. “What Californians are asking themselves is: We pay one of the highest gas taxes in the country, and our roads are poor. Where did our money go?”

Only one Republican is open to the bill, so nearly Democrat would need to vote for the deal to reach the supermajority needed to pass the Legislature.

Proposition 54, approved by voters in last November's election, requires bills to be in print for 72 hours before the Legislature gives its final approval. So the transportation funding measure can't be changed in order for there to be a vote Thursday.

Instead, the governor and Democratic leaders appear to be working on side promises that would not be voted on Thursday but would be fulfilled later this year, either in the state budget or in separate legislation.

It's not clear what backers would do if they can't close the deal Thursday, with lawmakers set to adjourn for a week of spring break at the end of the day. They could call lawmakers back on Friday, delay the vote until after spring break, or give up altogether.


Follow us for more stories like this

CapRadio provides a trusted source of news because of you.  As a nonprofit organization, donations from people like you sustain the journalism that allows us to discover stories that are important to our audience. If you believe in what we do and support our mission, please donate today.

Donate Today  

    Related Stories

  • Ben Adler / Capital Public Radio

    After Long Day (And Night), Legislature Passes Transportation Deal

    Friday, April 7, 2017
    It took the full negotiating power of California Gov. Jerry Brown and Democratic legislative leaders to push their transportation funding deal across the finish line Thursday.
  • After Fueled Emotions, Gas Tax Bill Heads To Governor Brown's Desk

    Friday, April 7, 2017
    After some arm-twisting and head spinning, lawmakers send the gas tax increase to Governor Brown's desk, who is expected to sign the bill into law.
  • Gas Tax Votes Hard To Come By In California Legislature

    Tuesday, April 4, 2017
    One day before California lawmakers are scheduled to decide whether to raise fuel taxes and vehicle fees to pay for road repairs, Gov. Jerry Brown and Democratic legislative leaders are still looking for votes.
  • Ben Adler / Capital Public Radio

    Road Repair Bill Moves Forward In California Legislature

    Monday, April 3, 2017
    The transportation funding deal reached last week by Gov. Jerry Brown and Democratic leaders has passed its first test in the California Legislature, despite continued opposition from environmental groups over an air quality exemption for trucks.
  • Fresno Drivers, Truckers Pan Road Taxes, Fees

    Monday, April 3, 2017
    California Gov. Jerry Brown and legislative leaders have a huge challenge this week: Convince all but one Democrat to vote for an unpopular set of fuel tax increases and vehicle fees to repair the state's crumbling roads and highways.
  • Ben Adler / Capital Public Radio

    Trucking Industry Provision In Transportation Deal Draws Fury From Environmentalists

    Thursday, March 30, 2017
    Environmental groups are furious over a piece of the transportation funding deal reached this week by California Gov. Jerry Brown and Democratic legislative leaders that would delay stricter air quality regulations on commercial trucks
  • Andrew Nixon / Capital Public Radio

    Brown, Democratic Lawmakers Announce Transportation Funding Deal

    Wednesday, March 29, 2017
    California Gov. Jerry Brown and Democratic legislative leaders announce a transportation funding deal this afternoon.

 transportation

Ben Adler

Director of Programming and Audience Development

Director of Programming and Audience Development Ben Adler first became a public radio listener in the car on his way to preschool — though not necessarily by choice.  Read Full Bio 

Sign up for ReCap and never miss the top stories

Delivered to your inbox every Friday.

 

Check out a sample ReCap newsletter.

Thanks for subscribing!

Thank you for signing up for the ReCap newsletter! We'll send you an email each Friday with the top stories from CapRadio.

Browse all newsletters

More State Government Stories

Anne Wernikoff / CalMatters

Is it too easy for write-in candidates in California elections?

July 31, 2022

Andrew Nixon / CapRadio

What’s left for California lawmakers to tackle in their final month

August 1, 2022

Most Viewed

Northern California wildfires: Where to find updates on air quality, evacuations, and official information

A California man’s ‘painful and terrifying’ road to a monkeypox diagnosis

Abortion is still legal in California. Here are answers to questions about access in the state.

California coronavirus updates: How many animal species have been infected with COVID-19? Scientists are still trying to find out.

New variants, wastewater data, long COVID: What Sacramento region experts are watching

We Get Support From:
Become a Supporter

Most Viewed

Northern California wildfires: Where to find updates on air quality, evacuations, and official information

A California man’s ‘painful and terrifying’ road to a monkeypox diagnosis

Abortion is still legal in California. Here are answers to questions about access in the state.

California coronavirus updates: How many animal species have been infected with COVID-19? Scientists are still trying to find out.

New variants, wastewater data, long COVID: What Sacramento region experts are watching

Back to Top

  • CapRadio

    7055 Folsom Boulevard
    Sacramento, CA 95826-2625

    • (916) 278-8900
    • Toll-free (877) 480-5900
    • Email Us
    • Submit a News Tip
  • Contact Us

  • About Us

    • Contact Us / Feedback
    • Coverage
    • Directions
    • Careers & Internships
    • Mission / Vision / Core Values
    • Press
    • Staff Directory
    • Board of Directors
  • Listening Options

    • Mobile App
    • On Air Schedules
    • Smart Speakers
    • Playlist
    • Podcasts
    • RSS
  • Connect With Us

    •  Facebook
    •  Twitter
    •  Instagram
    •  YouTube
  • Donate

  • Listen

  • Newsletters

CapRadio stations are licensed to California State University, Sacramento. © 2022, Capital Public Radio. All Rights Reserved. Privacy Policy | Website Feedback FCC Public Files: KXJZ KKTO KUOP KQNC KXPR KXSR KXJS. For assistance accessing our public files, please call 916-278-8900 or email us.