Garcia talks gas tax, sea, more
BRAWLEY — Assemblyman Eduardo Garcia’s (D-56th) forum on pressing needs of state included issues in the home district as he delivered his report in the Brawley Chamber of Commerce, Wednesday.
Starting with the recent Road Repair and Accountability Act of 2017, it expects to spawn $50 billion over 10 years to tackle a backlog of unfunded transportation projects.
The funds will be supported by an increase in vehicle fees and a 12 cent per gallon increase in gas tax.
“No one likes paying extra taxes,” stressed Garcia. “But roads are important to maintain not just car upkeep but it helps the economic vitality by sustaining links between the county’s cities.”
Imperial County ranks seventh in amount of roads in the state yet 31st by the state to receive money and Garcia said the bill puts people to work with a ripple effect, which benefits the entire economy. The Valley’s average annual county road share is estimated to be $7.6 million.
Another goal is to get people out of their cars in favor of public transportation and Garcia praised Imperial Valley Transit as a smarter transportation choice, which legislators hope to expand.
A related issue, Garcia also noted clean trucking technology will allot 6 percent of Proposition 1B’s $1 billion bond passed in 2006, to go to San Diego and Imperial counties, or about $60 million.
Meanwhile since June, $80 million is designated for Salton Sea restoration, Garcia noted. The main focus is on public health improvements achieved through mitigation of air quality and wildlife eco-systems. What is missing is funding the full 10-year plan estimated at $380 million.
Garcia hopes some of a $25 million park fund, AB18 adding new parks can be applied to the Salton Sea. And he also offered his support for Sen. Ben Hueso’s Senate Bill 701, which will advance a bond for the 2018 primary to fulfill the state’s resources settlement obligations, including the Salton Sea.
He assured his Assembly Bill 1270, the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act will train individuals with employment barriers, which is a necessary precursor to attract new business to the county. The money will be well-spent as it targets high school drop-outs, single mothers and recently released ex-felons. Rather than replicate programs such as Imperial Valley Regional Occupation Program, it will augment it.
Garcia also addressed discharge of wastewater effluent into the New River from Mexicali. He was scheduled to meet with his Mexicali counterparts on Wednesday. A project in process under the Sonoran Institute plans to complete removal of 6,000 cubic meters of solid waste from five drains in Mexicali by October. And in the last five years a 50 percent reduction of wastewater was achieved owing to a new Mexicali wastewater plant, as previously reported by the Press.
“The Mexicali improvements were made with help from the North American Development Bank (under auspices of NAFTA to address environmental issues along the border),” said Garcia. “So we need to find collaborative ways to get the NAD to assist with infrastructure improvements.”