January 9, 2018 - SACRAMENTO – A bill to prevent the state from using tax dollars intended to improve California’s roadways to pay off billions of dollars in bond debt was killed in the Assembly Transportation Committee Monday.

Assemblyman Jim Patterson (R-Fresno) authored AB 65 to stop taxes and fees collected in the State Highway Account to repair the state’s crumbling streets, highways and roads from being used to pay Prop 1A bond debt.

“The majority party has increased gas taxes and car registrations on working families claiming there is no money for highways, streets, and roads while at the same time raiding the State Highway Account for a project that is seven years behind schedule, $1.7 billion dollars over budget and whose executive management is fleeing,” said Assemblyman Patterson.

The principal and interest payments will cost taxpayers $19.5 billion over the next 30 years, a figure omitted by the High Speed Rail Authority in every report but confirmed by the Legislative Analyst’s Office.

Assemblyman Patterson will go before the Joint Legislative Audit Committee on January 30 in Sacramento to again request an audit of the project given the major delays and financial concerns. All previous requests for audits of this project have been rejected, including a November 2017 emergency request by Assemblyman Patterson.
Source: Assemblyman Jim Patterson

Earlier Information:  California Assemblyman Jim Patterson (R-Fresno) Announces a Hearing Monday, January 8, 2018 for Bill to Stop Highway Repair Funds from Financing High-Speed Rail