MAYOR GAVIN NEWSOM REACTS
TO GOVERNOR SCHWARZENEGGER’S STATE OF THE STATE ADDRESS

From the Mayor's Office of Communications

January 5, 2006

“I am encouraged that the Governor appears to be moving away from partisan politics and towards collaboration on transportation and other vital infrastructure investments. These are priorities for all San Franciscans and, frankly, they’ve been neglected for far too long.

These investments should also help create the kind of jobs that support and protect families and increase our tax base.

However, the devil is always in the details, and, so far, many of the details are still to come.

I’m troubled that more attention is not given to the need for more safe, affordable housing and solutions to chronic homelessness in our state.

We know that Senator Perata’s infrastructure bond proposal includes significant, specific funding for public transit improvements and security, bridge and overpass seismic retrofits and affordable housing. So should the Governor’s.

I will be working with Senator Perata and other members of the Bay Area delegation throughout this process to ensure that public transit is well funded, that the critical link between urban transit and affordable housing is recognized and that the Bay Area’s share of new infrastructure monies is commensurate with its extraordinary need.

If the Governor is prepared to move beyond partisan gridlock, then we’re prepared to join with him and our Democratic leaders to work together for the sake of easing transportation gridlock and improving the quality of life for San Franciscans and all Californians.”

####