Strategic Plan (EVSP)

by Stacy Roscoe

I want to share why I am so excited by calling out the elements within this process that reach beyond the traditional economic discussion I expected. Below are items pulled from the Steering Committee's last report that go beyond the basic economic principles being discussed:

Subgroups have met to discuss potential EVSP metrics, including a working definition of quality of life. The group would like to define what is considered to be within the quality of life category and which of those elements the group plans to address. Specifically, what does quality of life mean in terms of economic impact and what would be a more strategic focus for it in terms of:

 

Cultural determinants

Food, housing, and industry

"Ventura County Grows Business" elements of safety, education, climate, open space, and affordability in the region.

 

The following is an outline of the current status of those Focus Area work elements that step beyond the limited traditional focus points of economic development:

SB1 - Road Repair and Accountability Act and Proposition 6

by Dave Fleisch

Proposition 6, which will be on the November ballot, proposes that any tax on the sale, storage, use or consumption of motor vehicle gasoline or diesel fuel, or on the privilege of operating a vehicle on public highways, must be submitted to the electorate for approval, even if approved by the legislature.

This proposition specifically targets Senate Bill 1 (SB1), the Road Repair and Accountability Act of 2017 passed by a two-thirds majority of the legislature and signed into law on April 28, 2017. Prior to the passage of SB1, the fixed portion of the gasoline tax in the state of California had remained at 18 cents per gallon since the early 1990's.

With the passage of proposition 69 in June 2018, one hundred percent of these funds are constitutionally protected, which guarantees that these funds will only be used for transportation purposes.

SB1 i nvests $54 billion over 10 years to fix roads, freeways and bridges in communities across California and puts more dollars toward transit and road safety. These funds will be split equally between state and local investments.

SB1 emphasizes accountability and transparency by holding Caltrans and local governments accountable for the efficient investment of public funds to maintain the public highways, streets, and roads. This is done through the California Transportation Commission which annually receives plans from all local agencies and Caltrans for the coming year's funds, and also a report of where the funds from the previous year were spent. SB1 also created an Independent Office of Audits and Investigations to maintain a full scope, independent, and objective audit and investigation program. This includes an annual report to the Governor, the Legislature, and the California Transportation Commission with a summary of investigation and audit findings, recommendations, and implementation status of previous recommendations.

In order to provide a clear idea of what SB1 does and does not provide, here are some questions and factual answers: