Proposition 35 breaks a monopoly that should not be allowed to continue. It deserves the full support of California voters on Nov. 7.

According to the California Constitution, state and local governments now are not allowed to hire private entities for engineering and architectural work. Only government-employed engineers and architects are assigned to public works projects.

Proposition 35 opens up public works projects to private engineers and contractors. We say, it's about time.

The change will benefit residents of the state for two practical reasons.

First, the state has a huge backlog of transportation projects needed to reduce congestion on California highways. State engineers and architects cannot possibly handle all the work in a timely manner. It is perfectly logical and necessary to contract with private entities to get these projects completed on time.

Part of the reason for the current excess of engineering work is the governor's six-year, $6.8 billion commitment to traffic congestion relief projects. Add to that more billions for seismic retrofitting of California structures and other state projects.

Hiring more state engineers and architects to try to catch up just doesn't make sense.

Second, opening up the engineering and architectural work on these jobs to private companies requires competitive bidding that, in our view, would reduce costs.

Critics of Proposition 35 contend it will invite shady dealings between state agencies and private contractors. They call the measure a misleading, self-serving, special interest initiative.

We disagree. The measure will benefit consumers, motorists and taxpayers in general.

We recommend a YES vote on Proposition 35.


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