Proposed Bond Measure Will Not Include Funds for Hospitals
Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger (R) and lawmakers on Wednesday "appeared close" to an agreement for placing bond measures on the statewide ballot to pay for infrastructure improvements, the San Jose Mercury News reports (Garcia et al., San Jose Mercury News, 3/9).
The proposal does not include money for seismic safety retrofits at public hospitals (Lucas, San Francisco Chronicle, 3/9). Retrofit funds have been a concern of the Service Employees International Union representing health care workers, according to the Los Angeles Times.
The total amount of the bond likely will be between $42 billion and $55 billion, with additional bond measures placed on the 2008 and 2010 ballots (Rau, Los Angeles Times, 3/9). Schwarzenegger in January proposed a total of $68 billion in bond measures through 2014 (Lawrence, AP/Modesto Bee, 3/9).
Lawmakers have until 5 p.m. Friday to approve a proposal for the June 6 ballot, but some believe the deadline could be extended if a deal is near (San Jose Mercury News, 3/9).
In related news, the U.S. Chamber of Commerce on Wednesday launched an advertising campaign touting Schwarzenegger's bond plan for improving the state infrastructure. Schwarzenegger's proposal includes money for transportation, schools and levees (Furillo, Sacramento Bee, 3/9).
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