Competition and efficiency drive the private sector, so why shouldn't some of that spill into the public sector, especially when it comes to California's crumbling highway system? That reasoning alone should drive the voter to approve Proposition 35 on the November ballot.

What Proposition 35 does is open up state public works projects - such as building or repairing highways - so that private-sector architects and engineers can bid on the jobs.

That doesn't mean the private sector professionals will always get the jobs - just that they will be able to compete for the contracts against civil servants. Private-duty architects and engineers will be able to bid on design, development and construction projects, thus far off limits to them.

Propelled by unions, California years ago changed its Constitution to give state employees first crack at public works projects, closing the door on competition from the private sector. Project price tags skyrocketed and completion rates slowed. Some government critics say that's how California's transportation system slid into the dark ages.

Proposition 35 offers a chance to bring the long overdue transportation projects and other backlogged public improvement projects up to speed. For communities, counties and drivers across the state, this can offer hope to the current quagmire of highway projects. Add more competition and the costs should go down and efficiency up.

The measure also allows but doesn't force the question of lowest bidder. We have come to learn that the lowest bidder doesn't necessarily do the best job.

It's not only transportation projects that would be open to private architectural and engineering bidding, but also schools, water, seismic retrofit and other infrastructure projects.

Competition has always served the American public well, and the case is the same here. That's why Proposition 35 makes economic sense.


<--- Back to Articles Home Page