Governor pitches bonds to OC voters

JOHN WAYNE AIRPORT ? Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger made Orange County one of four stops on a Monday tour to call attention to a $37.3-billion infrastructure bond package that voters will see on the November ballot.

The four-part package includes $19.9 billion for transportation, $10.4 billion for school facilities, $4 billion for fixing levees and flood control, and $2.85 billion for affordable housing. Early Friday after a late-night session, legislators signed off on what is being called the largest bond package in California history.

Standing in an airplane hangar, the governor told a small group of elected officials and reporters why the bond package is needed: California’s infrastructure was designed for about 20 million to 25 million people, and the state’s population is now at 37 million.

Orange County would get $1.1 billion to modernize schools and $185 million for local water agencies, and the county would be eligible for a share of money to reduce traffic congestion, fix local streets, and build affordable housing.

With Assembly Speaker Fabian Nunez of Los Angeles and Senate President Pro Tem Don Perata of Oakland ? both Democrats ? flanking him, the Republican governor also touted the fact that the plan has support on both sides of the aisle.

“Even though this is a political year, an election year, they didn’t think about that as much as thinking of the people of California,” Schwarzenegger said.

Newport Beach Assemblyman Chuck DeVore didn’t join the bipartisan agreement on the bond package. He supported a $500-million emergency plan to use existing money, not bonds, to pay for levee repair, but he voted against the four bond proposals and several companion bills to reform the administrative side of infrastructure projects.

The bond plans weren’t properly vetted and were rushed through at about 4 a.m., DeVore said, so he’s concerned about what’s actually in the plans.

Borrowing more on top of what the state already has amassed would mean spending about $2.6 billion a year on debt service, which is roughly 3% of the $90 billion general fund, DeVore said.

“My fear is that using borrowed money will increase dramatically the pressure to raise taxes in two or three years’ time,” he said.

Historically, Orange County votes against bond proposals, DeVore said, but he predicted the bonds will pass statewide in November.

Also on the November ballot, county voters will likely be asked to pay for a renewal of Measure M, a half-cent sales tax that goes to local road projects. They could be reluctant to open their wallets twice, Orange County Supervisor Jim Silva said.

“I don’t see the people of Orange County supporting both measures,” he said.dpt-09-gov-dl-CPhotoInfoCI1QOJ4D20060509iyz2brncDON LEACH / DAILY PILOT(LA)Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger arrives in Orange County to discuss bond sales on the November ballot with state Sens. Dick Ackerman, left, and Don Perata, right.