Californians who care about roads, highways, rail and water projects should vote yes on Proposition 35.

Proposition 35 allows state and local governments to contract with the private sector for project design and engineering.

Contracting-out allows the state to avoid hiring new, permanent employees whenever there is an economic bump. And, when California experiences an economic boom, contracting-out can help backlogged agencies complete projects quickly.

The state Department of Transportation is aggressively recruiting engineers, but according to California's Legislative Analyst, hiring is delayed due to a "combination of lack of qualified applicants and an inability to compete with private sector salaries."

Hiring problems partially explain why, according to the Legislative Analyst, it is not uncommon for Caltrans "to take ten years or more" to prepare a project for construction.

Time lags result in rising construction costs -- and sometimes missed opportunities.

Example: It has taken Caltrans nearly 10 years to prepare the environmental document for widening Highway 101 between Wilfred Avenue and Highway 12. Normally "negative declarations" are completed in 18 months. The result: A more expensive project and a freeway that's still two lanes.

California's 19 counties with transportation sales taxes have the flexibility to bypass Caltrans. By using private firms for design, engineering and environmental work, "self-help" counties have substantially reduced project delivery time.

Proposition 35 would give the entire state the same flexibility.

The measure is supported by the California Taxpayers' Association, the county of Sonoma, and the cities of Santa Rosa, Cotati, Sebastopol, Sonoma, Windsor, Ukiah, Napa and Eureka among others. The Press Democrat recommends a yes vote on Proposition 35.


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