Basic Infrustructure & Transporation
Spending on transportation is out of control - but the roads are getting worse.
You can feel it every time you get in your car – Our transportation infrastructure is crumbling.
According to the 29th Annual Highway report, our state ranks 49th in the Nation in Overall Cost-Effectiveness and Condition of our roads, sliding several places since 2021.
Unfortunately, it’s not for a lack of spending. California spends $49,989 per mile of road, the 44th highest in the country.
It is HOW that money is being spent. Instead of focusing on maintaining the infrastructure we rely on everyday, our state has wasted precious resources on pet projects that have gone nowhere and benefited no one.
A lack of accountability and oversight has allowed budgets to balloon away from core transportation spending.
You have likely heard of the infamous “rail to nowhere” project, which was supposed to connect LA to SF by high speed rail. To date, the scope of the project has been reduced to Merced and Bakersfield, and the project has spent nearly $15 billion dollars, with $6.8 billion in federal funds. Due the lack of progress and delays in the project, the federal government has rescinded the remaining funding, resulting a billions of dollars lost from the state transportation budget.
If you look at neighboring cities like Manhattan Beach, El Segundo, Redondo, you will notice that their residents have broad access to excellent public community centers, parks, playgrounds, rec centers, and more.
These community centers provide more than just a place to have fun, they are good places to blow off steam after work, enjoy some time with your friends, get a little excercise in. This is not just anecdotal -- communities with fewer parks and public spaces are less likely to propser economically.