Prop. 35 gives government choice; may increase costs

By Jeff Dusing
Daily Forty-Niner

State and local governments will be allowed to select private architecture, engineering and contracting firms to work on public projects if Proposition 35 is passed by California voters in November.

These projects will include schools, prisons, freeways, water and sewage systems earthquake retrofits and other projects normally assigned to the State of California, Department of Transportation (Caltrans).

Those in favor of Prop 35 include the Long Beach Area Chamber of Commerce, the California Taxpayers' Association, the California Chamber of Commerce, the California Society of Professional Engineers, the Orange County Transportation Authority and the California State Association of Counties.

Proponents of Prop 35, according to yesprop35.com, suggest that using the private sector will assist in the completion of long overdue highway and other government projects. They further suggest that adopting the proposition will alleviate the increasing traffic problems that are spreading out from the metropolitan sectors to the suburban and rural areas and that the increase in competition will result in $2.5 billion of savings for California taxpayers.

Those against Prop 35 include City of Long Beach Council Member Jenny Oropeza, 54th District Assembly Member Sally Havice, the California Legislative Council For Older Americans, the California Federation of Teachers, the California Tax Reform Association, and the California School Boards Association.

Opponents of the proposition argue that it will actually have the reverse of its intended effect, causing further delays to current and future projects. The Web site noonprop35.org states that the proposition will increase the potential for corruption by opening the door for shady business deals, and that the proposition "eliminates competitive bidding, cost negotiations and selection of most qualified firm."

The actual impact of the proposition, however, has not yet been officially determined. The California Official Voter Information Guide states that costs will be lower for some projects, but higher for others. One new fiscal benefit cited in the guide is that government agencies will no longer need to hire and train individuals to cope with temporary increases in project activity. Once an expansion slows, the guide explains, excess employees can put unnecessary strain on the budget.