Mayors from Solano County hold a town hall meeting about city streets, at the Hilton Garden Inn, on Friday. Pictured here are, from left to right, Dixon Mayor Jack Batchelor, Vacaville Mayor Len Augustine, Rio Vista Mayor Norman Richardson, and Suisun City Mayor Pete Sanchez. (Robinson Kuntz/Daily Republic)
Mayors from Solano County hold a town hall meeting about city streets, at the Hilton Garden Inn, on Friday. Pictured here are, from left to right, Dixon Mayor Jack Batchelor, Vacaville Mayor Len Augustine, Rio Vista Mayor Norman Richardson, and Suisun City Mayor Pete Sanchez. (Robinson Kuntz/Daily Republic)
Spering: ‘Political suicide’ to divert ballot measure money away from transportation
FAIRFIELD — It would be political suicide to divert away from transportation a dime of the $168.5 million that Measure H is estimated to generate, Solano County Supervisor Jim Spering said Friday.
“It’s going to be political chaos,” Spering said.
“If we don’t do what we say,” the county supervisor added, “you can kick us out of office.”
He responded to comments at the Solano Economic Development Corporation breakfast, by Suisun City resident Murray Bass that nothing in the June 7 ballot measure, expected to generate $33.7 million a year over its five years, requires funds to be distributed to cities for transportation.
“This is still discretionary money,” said Bass, who told mayors at the event that it’s “pie in the sky money.”
Spering said all seven mayors in the county, along with the Board of Supervisors, back the ballot measure.
“There’s a lot of integrity there,” Spering said.
City managers are also supporting the transportation measure, along with the 12 office holders, the 3rd District county supervisor said.
“That a pretty solid body – very credible individuals,” Spering said.
The argument about tax funds not going to transportation is old and stale, he said.
Murray said after the meeting that absolutely no guarantee is in place to restrict the money to
transportation.
“General tax revenue can be spent on anything,” he said.
Fairfield Mayor Harry Price was among elected officials urging passage of the ballot measure. He noted repairs needed on roads to the Hilton Garden Inn where the breakfast event took place and said the situation characterizes a quarter of the roads in Fairfield.
Flint, Michigan, failed to spend money that would have prevented lead poisoning of children, Price said.
“Let’s not allow that to happen in Solano County,” the mayor said.
Suisun City Mayor Pete Sanchez spoke about how lawmakers in Sacramento blame the governor for transportation problems – and the governor’s staff blames the lawmakers.
“We cannot play that game anymore,” Sanchez said.
Vacaville Mayor Len Augustine said of transportation work that “the longer you wait the more damage happens to streets and roads.”
Spering praised the Solano Transportation Authority for reaching about 100,000 residents on transportation issues.
“We get criticized when we don’t reach out,” the county supervisor said.
Criticism also comes when government spends money to do so, Spering said.
Three telephone town halls conducted by the transportation authority cost a total of $75,000.
Reach Ryan McCarthy at 427-6935 or rmccarthy@dailyrepublic.net.
“It’s going to be political chaos,” Spering said.
“If we don’t do what we say,” the county supervisor added, “you can kick us out of office.”
He responded to comments at the Solano Economic Development Corporation breakfast, by Suisun City resident Murray Bass that nothing in the June 7 ballot measure, expected to generate $33.7 million a year over its five years, requires funds to be distributed to cities for transportation.
“This is still discretionary money,” said Bass, who told mayors at the event that it’s “pie in the sky money.”
Spering said all seven mayors in the county, along with the Board of Supervisors, back the ballot measure.
“There’s a lot of integrity there,” Spering said.
City managers are also supporting the transportation measure, along with the 12 office holders, the 3rd District county supervisor said.
“That a pretty solid body – very credible individuals,” Spering said.
The argument about tax funds not going to transportation is old and stale, he said.
Murray said after the meeting that absolutely no guarantee is in place to restrict the money to
transportation.
“General tax revenue can be spent on anything,” he said.
Fairfield Mayor Harry Price was among elected officials urging passage of the ballot measure. He noted repairs needed on roads to the Hilton Garden Inn where the breakfast event took place and said the situation characterizes a quarter of the roads in Fairfield.
Flint, Michigan, failed to spend money that would have prevented lead poisoning of children, Price said.
“Let’s not allow that to happen in Solano County,” the mayor said.
Suisun City Mayor Pete Sanchez spoke about how lawmakers in Sacramento blame the governor for transportation problems – and the governor’s staff blames the lawmakers.
“We cannot play that game anymore,” Sanchez said.
Vacaville Mayor Len Augustine said of transportation work that “the longer you wait the more damage happens to streets and roads.”
Spering praised the Solano Transportation Authority for reaching about 100,000 residents on transportation issues.
“We get criticized when we don’t reach out,” the county supervisor said.
Criticism also comes when government spends money to do so, Spering said.
Three telephone town halls conducted by the transportation authority cost a total of $75,000.
Reach Ryan McCarthy at 427-6935 or rmccarthy@dailyrepublic.net.
