Senate ResolutionNo. 74


Introduced by Senator Beall

May 2, 2016


Senate Resolution No. 74—Relative to Infrastructure Week.

P1    1WHEREAS, The week of May 16 through 23, 2016, inclusive,
2is being observed at the state and national level as Infrastructure
3Week; and

4WHEREAS, Infrastructure Week represents the largest, most
5diverse, nonpartisan coalition of organizations representing
6America’s business, labor, and policymaking leadership from all
7sectors of America, the economy, and civil society dedicated to
8strengthening America’s competitiveness by building and
9rebuilding our infrastructure systems; and

10WHEREAS, During the week, focused advocacy, media
11coverage, and other efforts around the country will tell the story
12of America’s infrastructure and its impact on our communities,
13economy, and quality of life; and

14WHEREAS, California’s infrastructure also is aging and presents
15a public safety and quality of life issue for all residents; and

16WHEREAS, Many of the bridges and highway roads in
17California were constructed more than 50 years ago and, according
18to “The Road Information Program,” driving on deficient roads
19costs California motorists a total of $44 billion annually in the
20form of additional vehicle operating costs, congestion-related
21delays, and traffic crashes; and

22WHEREAS, It is not uncommon to have 100-year-old water
23mains running throughout towns, and the state estimates that
24California’s water distribution systems lose up to 228 billion
25gallons annually -- more than enough to supply the entire city of
26Los Angeles for a year; and

P2    1WHEREAS, The American Society of Civil Engineers gives
2California’s infrastructure an overall rating of “C” and calls for
3additional investments to maintain and continue to improve
4California’s infrastructure through 2020; and

5WHEREAS, It is recognized that the success of California over
6the past 100 years can be traced to its highly advanced
7infrastructure system consisting of the interstate freeway network,
8bridges, State Water Project, electrical distribution grid, and
9wastewater treatment facilities; and

10WHEREAS, According to studies such as a May 2014 report
11from Standard & Poor’s Ratings Services, every dollar invested
12in infrastructure generates nearly two dollars in economic output;
13and

14WHEREAS, California leaders recognize the importance of
15investing in infrastructure now to avoid future problems; and

16WHEREAS, Infrastructure Week challenges policymakers and
17the public to address head-on the challenges facing infrastructure
18in the United States, to move beyond short-term fixes and deferred
19maintenance, and to envision the innovative solutions, technologies,
20policies, and investments that will improve America’s infrastructure
21today and for the future; now, therefore, be it

22Resolved by the Senate of the State of California, That the Senate
23hereby recognizes the week of May 16 through 23, 2016, inclusive,
24as Infrastructure Week in the State of California; and be it further

25Resolved, That the Secretary of the Senate transmit copies of
26this resolution to the author for appropriate distribution.



O

    99