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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMINUTES - 07082008 - C.60 TO: BOARD OF SUPERVISORS `� ��' Contra r - FROM: JOHN CULLEN Costa County Administrator .., County DATE: July 8, 2008 SUBJECT: JOINING "BUILDING AMERICA'S FUTURE" COALITION SPECIFIC REQUEST(S)OR RECOMMENDATION(S)&:BACKGROUND AND.)US-1'IFIC:ATION RECOMMENDATION AUTHORIZE the Chair of the Board to register to join the coalition "Building America's Future," on behalf of the Contra Costa County Board of Supervisors, to inform the national debate and advocate for practical and innovative solutions for infrastructure funding, as recommended by the County Administrator. FISCAL IMPACT: There is no cost to join the coalition. BACKGROUND: The "Building America's Future" Coalition was recently founded by Governor Rendell of Pennsylvania, Governor Schwarzenegger of California and Mayor Bloomberg of New York. The purpose of the Coalition is to demonstrate to the next President and the next Congress that there is strong support for more investment in our nation's infrastructure across both parties, geographically, and across all levels of governments. Most of us agree that the federal government has underfunded the infrastructure system that stretches from coast to coast and touches nearly every county, city and town in between. NACo supports the goals of Building America's Future and urges counties to review the attached letter and join the coalition. The following information is provided on the Coalition's website: www.investlnlnfrastructure.org. CONTINUED ON ATTACHMENT: x YES SIGNATURE: RECOMMI-NDATION OF COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR RECOMMENDATION OF BOARD COMh " EE �— APPROVE OTHER t SIGNATIIRE(S): (4,�O –,, ACTION OF BO ON �• APPROVED AS RECOMMENDED /R VOTE OF SUPERVISORS I HEREBY CERTIFY THAT'THIS IS A'TRUE AND CORRECT COPY OF AN AC'T'ION TAKEN AND ENTERED ON MINUTES OF THE BOARD OF SUPERVISORS ON THE DATESHOWN. UNANIMOUS(ABSENT AYES- NOES: ABSENT: ABSTAIN: Contact: L.DeLane.v 5-1097 Cc: ATTESTED I .Delaney.C'A0's Office .101- CULLEN '_LRK OF THE BOARD OFSUPERVISORS Supervisor Federal Glover BY: DEPUTY ABOUT BUILDING AMERICA'S FUTURE The Coalition will inform the national debate and advocate for practical and innovative solutions. The primary job of this Coalition is quite simply to bring people together from all sides, and in so doing, to create an environment where infrastructure funding is treated like the national priority it should be. In the short term, the Coalition will work with the presidential candidates and the platform committees of the national political parties to ensure that the next president understands the enormity of the infrastructure crisis, is committed to increasing federal funding, and that both party platforms reflect these commitments. The Coalition will become a repository of best practices on infrastructure funding issues. Mayors and governors who are looking for innovative ways to fund critical infrastructure projects will be able to turn to this center of best practices to learn how their colleagues in other parts of the country were able to find funding. The Coalition will also resemble a think tank, performing analysis and offering opinions on emerging infrastructure issues, including federal, state, and local legislative proposals. The Coalition will be made up of elected officials throughout the country serving in elected executive and legislative roles at the state and local levels of government. We will work closely with associations that represent these officials, like the National Governors Association, the US Conference of Mayors, the National League of Cities, the National Association of County Officials, the National Conference of State Legislators, and the Council of State Governments. The Rockefeller Foundation and its President, Judith Rodin, have generously committed a significant grant to ensure that the Coalition has the necessary resources to be fully staffed and to carry out its vital mission. The Need for the Coalition Congress should focus on strategic priorities, not political imperatives. In 2009, Congress will tackle the re-authorization of the Safe, Accountable, Flexible, Efficient Transportation Equity Act-A Legacy for All (SAFETEA-LU). Earlier this year, a Congressionally- sponsored commission issued a report on the future of surface transportation infrastructure, after more than two years of studies and public hearings. The Commission's recommendations, which will serve as a critical input into the upcoming reauthorization hearings, include: • establishment of a new federal transit ticket tax; • significant increases in the federal gasoline tax; • expansion of congestion pricing and tolling schemes throughout the national interstate highway system; • an increase in discretionary spending to be offset by fewer Congressional earmarks; and, • the harnessing of private sector resources through increased public-private partnerships. Others in Washington are also beginning to realize the magnitude and urgency of our nation's infrastructure woes. For example, Senators Dodd (D-CT) and Hagel (R-NE) have recently introduced a bill that would create a National Infrastructure Bank to finance regional and national infrastructure projects of at least $75 million. We cannot shy away from tough decisions regarding infrastructure priorities. Although the Coalition does not currently endorse any of these funding or policy options, we seek to initiate an honest and open discussion of our growing infrastructure woes and a recognition that tough decisions will need to take place on all sides and at all levels of government to address these challenges. BUILDING AMERICA'S FUTURE WWW-InvestInInfrastructure.org 601 Thirteenth Street NW Suite i000 Washington, D.C.20005 Co-Chairs Michael R.Bloomberg,Mayor,New York City Edward G.Rendell,Governor,Pennsylvania Arnold Schwarzenegger,Governor,California Dear County Official: We are.writing you today about an issue that we believe is among the most critical for our nation to address:America's aging infrastructure. As you may have read recently, the three of us held a press conference on January 19th in Los Angeles to announce the formation of.Building America's Future, a coalition of state and local elected officials from across the country who will be advocating for greater federal investment in infrastructure. As you call see by following the presidential election, there are a lot of issues that divide politicians in this country. There are issues that divide the American people. Infrastructure is an issue that unites all of us. That is why a Republican governor, an Independent mayor, and a Democratic governor have joined together to create this coalition and why we intend to use our energy and political capital to push forward on this issue.. County officials know better than anyone how important infrastructure is in our communities and . to this country. You know that our competitiveness as a nation requires good roads and.highways, navigable waterways, ports and airports with the capacity to accommodate ships, and airplanes carrying passengers and goods. You know that our public safety depends on reliable levees and dams. You understand that a good quality of life for our citizens requires roads with sufficient lanes, sound infrastructure to carry potable water; and green space where our children can play. You know our environmental sustainability hinges on well-thought-out infrastructure that strengthens our core metropolitan areas and curbs sprawl. To that end, we simply must find ways to fund mass transit, rail freight, and passenger rail. If your county is like most in this country,there are important infrastructure projects that cannot be funded because there arc simply not enough capital dollars to go around. By one estimate, infrastructure needs may require some $1.6 trillion in the next five years alone. infrastructure is a federal challenge. it requires a federal commitment of resources. We hope that you will add your name to ours in calling for greater federal investment in infrastructure by joining Building America's Future. Please go to www.lnvestl.0rifrastructure.org to register and to get more information about our coalition. We will be back.in touch soon after you register. Sincerely,