Total expenditures from state funds for transportation programs are proposed to be moderately higher in 2000-01 than estimated current-year expenditures. The increase is due mainly to somewhat higher expenditures of $468 million for highway improvements.
For traffic enforcement, the budget proposes minor increases in the expenditure levels of the California Highway Patrol and the Department of Motor Vehicles.
The budget proposes total state expenditures of about $6.4 billion for transportation programs in 2000-01. This is an increase of $479.7 million, or 8.1 percent, over estimated expenditures in the current year.
Figure 1 shows that state-funded transportation expenditures increased by about $2 billion since 1993-94, representing an average annual increase of 5.4 percent. When adjusted for inflation, these expenditures increased by an average of 3 percent annually. The increase is in part the result of the full implementation of the Transportation Blueprint legislation enacted in 1990. In order to provide additional state funds for highway and mass transportation programs, the legislation increased the tax on motor vehicle fuel (gasoline and diesel) and truck weight fees as well as authorized specific bond measures. In addition, in March 1996, voters passed Proposition 192 which authorized $2 billion in bonds for seismic retrofit of highways and bridges. In August 1997, the Legislature enacted legislation to fully fund the seismic retrofit of state-owned toll bridges.
Figure 1 (see next page) also shows that transportation expenditures as a share of total state expenditures have fallen slightly from the 1993-94 level, and since then, have remained relatively stable. In 2000-01, proposed transportation expenditures will constitute about 7.5 percent of all state expenditures.
Of the 2000-01 state transportation expenditures, about $5 billion is proposed for programs administered by the state, and $1.1 billion is for subventions to local governments for streets and roads. Another $341 million will be for debt-service payments on rail bonds issued under Propositions 108 and 116 of 1990, and seismic retrofit bonds issued under Proposition 192 of 1996.
Figure 2 shows spending for the major transportation programs in detail. Specifically, the budget proposes expenditures of $7.5 billion (from all fund sources including federal and bond funds) for the Department of Transportation in 2000-01--an increase of $463.9 million (6.6 percent) above estimated current-year expenditures. In addition, the budget proposes $121 million from the General Fund for rail improvement. This amount represents an increase of $82.7 million over estimated current-year expenditures from the General Fund.
| Figure 2 | |||||
| Transportation Budget Summary
Selected Funding Sources | |||||
| 1998-99 Through 2000-01
(Dollars in Millions) | |||||
|
Actual 1998-99 |
Estimated 1999-00 |
Proposed 2000-01 |
Change From
1999-00 | ||
| Amount | Percent | ||||
| Department of Transportation | |||||
| State funds | $3,169.6 | $3,326.6 | $3,628.9 | $302.3 | 9.1% |
| Federal funds | 1,921.9 | 2,538.7 | 2,998.4 | 459.7 | 18.1 |
| Reimbursements | 381.4 | 1,177.7 | 879.6 | -298.1 | -25.3 |
| Totals | $5,472.9 | $7,043.0 | $7,506.9 | $463.9 | 6.6% |
| California Highway Patrol | |||||
| Motor Vehicle Account | $741.3 | $789.1 | $844.7 | $55.6 | 6.6% |
| Other | 96.8 | 128.2 | 85.2 | -43.0 | -33.6 |
| Totals | $838.1 | $917.3 | $929.9 | $12.6 | 1.4% |
| Department of Motor Vehicles | |||||
| Motor Vehicle Account | $311.5 | $318.9 | $330.0 | $11.1 | 3.5% |
| Motor Vehicle License
Fee Account |
233.7 | 233.3 | 246.0 | 12.7 | 5.4 |
| Other | 81.9 | 57.0 | 56.7 | -0.3 | -0.5 |
| Totals | $627.1 | $609.2 | $632.7 | $23.5 | 3.8% |
| State Transportation Assistance | |||||
| Public Transportation
Account |
$100.3 | $100.3 | $101.0 | $0.7 | 0.7% |
Support for the California Highway Patrol (CHP) is proposed at about $929.9 million$12.6 million, or 1.4 percent, higher than the current-year level. About 91 percent of the expenditures would be funded from the Motor Vehicle Account. For the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV), the budget proposes support of $632.7 million, about $23.5 million (3.8 percent) more than in the current year. These expenditures would be funded mainly from the Motor Vehicle Account and vehicle license fees. (This proposed funding level does not include $4.7 million in administrative costs to DMV to refund smog impact fees, as shown in the Governor's budget. The Department of Finance advises that these funds will be sought through separate legislation.)
Additionally, the budget proposes to fund the State Transportation Assistance (STA) program in 2000-01 at $101 million, essentially the same level as the current year. Annual funding of the program is determined based on a statutory formula, and the level varies depending on anticipated revenues into the Public Transportation Account (PTA).
Figure 3 highlights the major changes proposed for 2000-01 in various transportation programs.
As the figure shows, the budget proposes to increase highway construction by the Department of Transportation (Caltrans) by $468.4 million, while highway and road improvements carried out by local agencies are anticipated to be lower than the estimated current-year level by $113.3 million. These changes do not reflect the potential impact on highway capital improvement expenditures resulting from the Governor's proposals. Instead, the changes primarily reflect anticipated expenditures based on highway projects currently scheduled for construction in the State Transportation Improvement Program (STIP) and Caltrans' estimation of the rate local agencies will be expending federal funds.
The budget does not propose any increase in highway engineering and design support. However, it indicates that the level may be changed in April or May 2000 depending on whether the California Transportation Commission programs additional projects for construction in the 2000 STIP.
The budget also includes an increase of $121 million (from the General Fund) for trains and station improvements for intercity, commuter, and urban rail services. In addition, the budget proposes $41.5 million to provide ongoing funding to implement stormwater pollution cleanup requirements under the federal permit for waste discharge. This amount is $3.5 million more than current-year one-time expenditures on stormwater pollution.
For CHP, the budget proposes $1.7 million for additional motorcycle officers to provide congestion relief on state highways. A similar amount is proposed to inspect and certify farm labor vehicles for safety compliance, and to investigate organized vehicle fraud activities. The department is also proposing an additional $3.7 million in expenditures to provide safety enforcement at highway construction sites. These expenditures will be reimbursed by Caltrans.
For DMV, the budget proposes an increase of about $23.5 million in departmental support in 2000-01. Significant increases include $15.6 million to implement various newly enacted legislation. Specifically, the department will continue to implement the proof of insurance program which Chapter 880, Statutes of 1999 (SB 652, Speier) extended. The budget is also requesting increases of $7.8 million for facilities repairs and furniture and an increase of $3.8 million to accommodate workload increases in various areas.
| Figure 3 | |||||
| Transportation Programs
Proposed Major Changes for 2000-01 | |||||
| Department of
Transportation |
Requested: | $7.5 billion | |||
| Increase: | $463.9 million | (+6.6%) | |||
| + $468.4 million in highway construction | |||||
| + $121 million for intercity and commuter rail projects | |||||
| + $5.4 million for electrical and landscape maintenance | |||||
| + $3.5 million for stormwater pollution cleanup | |||||
| - $113.3 million in local assistance for road improvement | |||||
| California Highway Patrol | Requested: | $929.9 million | |||
| Increase: | $12.6 million | (+1.4%) | |||
| + $1.7 million for motorcycle officers for highway congestion relief | |||||
| + $1.8 million for farm labor vehicle inspection and certification | |||||
| + $1.7 million to investigate organized vehicle fraud | |||||
| + $3.7 million to enforce highway construction site safety | |||||
| Department of Motor Vehicles | Requested: | $632.7 million | |||
| Increase: | $23.5 million | (+3.8%) | |||
| + $15.6 million to implement newly enacted legislation | |||||
| + $4.5 million to redesign financial system | |||||
| + $7.8 million for facilities repair and furniture | |||||
| + $3.8 million for workload increases | |||||
| + $3.3 million to enhance driver safety program | |||||