Editorial: Calif. roads worsen as legislators make excuses
Publisher’s note: This editorial is from the Nov. 21, 2016, Sacramento Bee.
Once again, California lawmakers are proving themselves unable to carry out that most basic function – filling potholes.
A special session called by Gov. Jerry Brown to focus on raising billions to fund road maintenance will end a week from Wednesday with a whimper. There are plenty of excuses.
Democrats, who control the Legislature, haven’t had the two-thirds majority needed to approve new gasoline taxes. So they can blame Republicans.
Republicans insist the California Department of Transportation is bloated and must become more efficient, and they seek relaxation of labor and environmental regulations. So they can blame Democrats.