Ballots for Californias Nov. 8 special election already have gone to the printers, but Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger and the state legislature still are posturing about the initiatives that are set to appear on them. Tucked between issues related to parental abortion consent and prescription drug benefits are some controversial matters that could impact construction.
The governors "spending limits" initiative would protect against raids on funding for Proposition 42, the 2002 measure that earmarked $2.4 billion for transportation projects in the next two fiscal years. Only $295 million so far has been spent for projects, claims Michael Lawson, executive director, of one lobby group, Transportation California. "Protecting those funds is an annual fight and this would help protect the money earmarked by voters," says Dave Ackerman, another industry lobbyist.