July 17, 2008

Call to Action

PROPOSITION 42 - Stop the Gas Tax Raid

AGC of California is advocating on the construction industry's behalf to

stop the gas tax raid of Proposition 42 funds and now we need your help!

Rumors are circulating that raiding Proposition 42 funds is definitely

an option on the table during budget negotiations. 

What AGC Has Done to Date

At their May meeting, AGC's State Board of Directors approved financial

assistance of up to $100,000 for a media campaign if raiding Prop 42

funds became an issue. More than 100 AGC members met with their

legislators and discussed the impact the diversion of Prop 42 funds

would have on construction projects during our Annual Legislative Day in

Sacramento. AGC advocates have met and talked with legislators and the

Governor providing information on the importance of keeping Prop 42 in

tact.

This week a coalition consisting of AGC, the California Alliance for

Jobs, Transportation California, transportation stakeholders, and

advocates from business, labor and local governments issued a letter to

the California Legislature asking them to reject any state budget

proposals that borrows against Prop 42 funds to fill the significant

budget void in the 2008-09 state budget.  Read the complete letter

<http://www.agc-ca.org/uploadedFiles/Member_Services/Legislative_Advocac

y/Position_Papers/Letter_LegislatorsNOGasTaxRaids.pdf>  sent to the

Legislators.

Despite the fact that the voters of California passed Prop 1A in 2006,

designed to protect the state sales tax on gasoline through Prop 42,

some members of the legislature are talking about raiding gas tax funds.

The letter sent to every member of the legislature outlined what the

results would be if funds were taken from Prop 42 and what it would mean

to California. There are approximately 100 high-priority transportation

projects

<http://www.agc-ca.org/uploadedFiles/Member_Services/Legislative_Advocac

y/Position_Papers/Prop42_Fact%20Sheet_080708.pdf>  that could be delayed

or stopped altogether if these funds are used or taken away from their

intended purpose.

What Can You Do?

1. Please call your legislators now! You can use the talking points

provided here

<http://www.agc-ca.org/uploadedFiles/Member_Services/Legislative_Advocac

y/Position_Papers/Talking%20Points%20on%20Prop%2042%20_2_%20_2_.pdf>

for your guidance.

2. Write a letter to your legislators and the Governor opposing Prop 42

raids. We have made it easy for you to send a letter. Just follow the

link provided:  https://www.bipac.net/issue_alert

<https://www.bipac.net/issue_alert.asp?g=AGC_CA&issue=No_Raid_Gas_Tax&pa

rent=AGC_CA> , fill in the information requested, including your company

name in the body of the letter. You can choose to send the letter

electronically or you can print the letter and send it yourself.

Take action now and let your voice be heard!