Public support for two huge proposals -- the bullet-train and a multibillion-dollar overhaul of the state's water system -- is dipping, fueled by fears over the uncertain economy, according to the latest survey from the Public Policy Institute of California.
From the PPIC: "With the economy weighing on Californians’ minds, fewer than half of the state’s likely voters favor construction of a high-speed rail system or support an $11.1 billion water bond that is scheduled to go on the 2014 ballot. Both get majority support with lower price tags. These are among the key findings of a statewide survey released today by the Public Policy Institute of California (PPIC), with funding from The James Irvine Foundation."
"Support for the water bond has dropped since last March, when 51 percent of likely voters said they planned to vote "yes.” Today, 42 percent favor it and 51 percent are opposed, when read a summary of the 2009 water package that includes the bond. When those who plan to vote "no” are asked how they would vote if the bond were a smaller amount, overall support increases to 55 percent. Most (68%) say it is important that the water bond be passed (33% very important, 35% somewhat important)..."
"Majorities of likely voters would favor the water bond and high-speed rail if the price tags on these big-ticket items were reduced,” says Mark Baldassare, PPIC president and CEO. "Californians’ continuing concerns about the economy and the state and federal budgets make planning for the future a difficult process.”
The huge pension fund that provides benefits for California teachers needs a whopping $4.5 billion annually to be made whole over the next three decades, according to the Office of the Legislative Analyst.
From Calpensions' Ed Mendel: "That’s not likely to happen as the state, with a budget back in the black from an improving economy and a voter-approved tax increase last fall, faces demands to restore what some say were $20 billion in classroom cuts during five years of deep deficits."
"But after years of ignoring a growing CalSTRS debt or “unfunded liability,” the Assembly and Senate public employee retirement committees held a joint hearing yesterday on proposed solutions requested by a Senate resolution last year."
"Ryan Miller of the Legislative Analyst’s Office told the committee that the unfunded liability of the California StateTeachers Retirement System, a century old this year, “may be the state’s most difficult fiscal challenge.”
The failure of Sen. Dianne Feinstein's assault weapons ban stemmed from the strength of the National Rifle Association, a group that is demonized by its enemies.
From the Chronicle's Debra Saunders: "If you want to know why Sen. Dianne Feinstein's assault-weapon ban couldn't muster 40 votes - that's according to Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, who says he will cut the ban from the Democrats' gun bill - attend an NRA event in Feinstein's backyard. While critics like to paint the organization as an out-of-touch haven for angry old white guys, Sunday's NRA "Fun Shoot" at the San Leandro Rifle and Pistol Range was anything but."
"I attended a safety and shooting lesson for 12. Half of the group was female - and white, black and East Asian. Four teens showed up with their parents."
"Months ago, it was clear that Feinstein's assault-weapons ban had little chance of making it through the Democratic-run Senate, let alone the GOP House. Nonetheless, gun-control enthusiasts pushed the measure in the dubious belief that the awful Newtown shootings would make an assault-weapons ban more palatable. But it is doomed. Meanwhile, these efforts have driven some law-abiding Americans into the loving arms of the NRA."
L.A.'s lackluster street maintenance, a cause for complaint for years among millions of drivers, is turning into an issue in the mayor's race.
From Bloomberg's James Nash: "This is the No. 1 issue that people complain about in my council district and every council district in the city, on a consistent basis,” Councilman Mitchell Englander, who is neutral in the mayor’s race, said in a telephone interview. “It affects rich people and poor people. It affects every neighborhood in the city.”
"Los Angeles maintains 6,500 miles (10,500 kilometers) of streets and highways, more than New York with 6,000 miles and Chicago with 4,000 miles, according to transportation departments in the three largest cities."
"Degraded roads inflict more damage on cars in metropolitan Los Angeles every year than in any other metro area: $746 on average, compared with $638 in New York and $333 in Chicago, according to a 2009 report by the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials."
A change may be coming to Yosemite, as park officials ponder removing a number of amenities enjoyed by park-goers.
From the Mercury News' Paul Rogers: "In the name of restoring the park's natural setting, a new proposal by the National Park Service would ban bicycle and horse rentals in Yosemite Valley and remove the ice rink at Curry Village. Swimming pools at the Yosemite Lodge and Ahwahnee Hotel would be torn out. Rafting rentals on the Merced River would end. The longest stone bridge in Yosemite Valley would be demolished. Even the Yosemite Art Activity Center, where families learn water colors, would go."
"The changes -- which will be discussed by park officials at a public meeting Thursday in San Francisco -- are part of a new set of principles for the park known as the Merced River Plan. The 2,500-page document, released in January, comes after years of lawsuits over what should be allowed in Yosemite Valley and the Merced River that flows through it."
"In many ways, the document is a symbol of the near-impossible mission of the National Park Service: providing public recreation while preserving spectacular landscapes."
