Newspapers Preview State of State Address, Including Health Care-Related Provisions
Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger (R) in his State of the State address on Thursday will present details of a bond measure to fund construction related to the state's infrastructure, including hospitals, the Ventura County Star reports (Herdt, Ventura County Star, 1/5).
According to the San Francisco Chronicle, sources familiar with Schwarzenegger's proposal said funds would be allocated to five categories:
- Transportation;
- Public education;
- Jails;
- Water; and
- Courts.
The Star reports that Schwarzenegger is expected to propose a $10 billion to $50 billion bond measure and that sources say he will seek more than $40 billion (Ventura County Star, 1/5).
According to the Chronicle, the governor will call for a $25 billion to $27 billion bond measure. In conjunction with funds from other sources, such as the state gasoline tax and federal funds, Schwarzenegger is expected to propose a 10-year, $100 billion public works plan, the Chronicle reports (San Francisco Chronicle, 1/5).
According to the Star, Schwarzenegger in his State of the State address or in his state fiscal year 2006-2007 budget proposal will need to specify how the bond measure would be repaid (Ventura County Star, 1/5).
The Legislative Analyst Office this week estimated that the state will need $60 billion to $75 billion in public works spending over the next five years (San Francisco Chronicle, 1/5).
Assembly Speaker Fabian Nunez (D-Los Angeles) on Wednesday in the Assembly introduced a draft proposal (AB 1783) for a bond measure that would include funds to help hospitals comply with state seismic safety rules. The proposal did not specify a dollar amount, the Los Angeles Daily News reports (Sheppard, Los Angeles Daily News, 1/4).
In addition, Senate President Pro Tempore Don Perata (D-Oakland) has proposed a $12.8 billion bond measure, including funds for affordable housing and projects in inner city neighborhoods (San Francisco Chronicle, 1/5).
To qualify a bond measure for the statewide ballot, the measure must be approved by two-thirds of the Legislature (Ventura County Star, 1/5).
In addition to the bond measure proposal, Schwarzenegger on Thursday will call for increased funds to enroll eligible children in Healthy Families. Schwarzenegger also will voice his support for ending a federal ban on the reimportation of prescription drugs from Canada, the Chronicle reports (San Francisco Chronicle, 1/5).
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