Accomplishments
Economy: Build California

Jobs are the centerpiece of the Governor's Build California Initiative.

One of the largest economic stimulus efforts in state history, the Initiative aims to create 500,000 jobs.

The Initiative expedites release of Proposition 47 school construction bond funds and Proposition 46 housing bond funds.

It launches a life sciences initiative to speed to market products and technologies that improve human health.

And it begins an effort to ensure that state regulations do not unfairly disadvantage small businesses.

The Elements of Build California:

1. Proposition 47 Public School Construction Bond: The largest school construction bond in state history provides $11.4 billion for K-12 schools. The state review process has been streamlined to ensure that all $11.4 billion will be allocated by March 2004 - more than twice the money in half the time as was processed for the previous school bond, creating as many as 250,000 jobs.
2. Proposition 46 Housing Bond: The largest housing bond in state history provides $2.1 billion to help Californians obtain safe and affordable rental housing or become first-time homeowners. It will leverage an additional $14 billion in housing funds to provide more than 130,000 units, and create as many as 276,000 jobs.
3. AB 1486 (Dutra) Design-Build: Allows use of Design-Build for capital outlay projects to facilitate delivery of the projects, save money and propel job creation y infusing resources into the economy.
4. Life Sciences Initiative: Builds partnership with community, industry, and academic leaders to transfer technology from universities to the private secto. The Initiative aims to improve health, save lives, and maintain California's leadership role in the life sciences industry. It will aid the research, development, and commercialization of emerging technologies to bring new life-saving products to market faster.
5. Job Training: The Employment Development Department has targeted funds for short-term job training for industries with worker shortages, including:
   • $10.5 million to train or upgrade 2,750 certified nurse assistants;
   • $60 million to train 5,000 LVNs, RNs, and CNAs;
   • $8 million for Tech-to-Teachers to train up to 1,000 information technology workers to become math and science teachers; and,
   • Expansion of the successful "Jobs for All" program to place 5,000 unemployed Californians with disabilities in steady employment.
6. Small Business: The Governor's Small Business Regulatory Fairness Initiative reviews proposed and existing state regulations for their impact on small businesses. The Office of the Small Business Advocate will host two summits to identify regulatory changes that effect small businesses.
7. Resources Bonds:
   • Prop. 40 provides $2.6 billion to acquire open space, parklands, and historical resources, as well as to clean beaches and protect watersheds.
   • Prop. 50 provides $3.44 billion to fund Bay Area and Delta habitat restoration, coastal protection projects, and improvements to public water systems for safer drinking water.
8. Public-Private Partnerships:
   To encourage investment in key local facilities, the state has entered into a number of innovative partnerships. The Governor's UC Merced Red Team, including more than 20 state entities, the University, and the County and City of Merced, has streamlined bureaucracy, fostered state and local partnerships. The first phase of construction has created an estimated 1,360 jobs.
9. Building Smarter:
   Through record bond fund investments, the Governor has required the use of sustainable building practices in state buildings. These efforts save tax dollars and protect environmental resources. (An up-front investment of 2% in sustainable building features generally returns 20% in savings over the life of the building by reducing utility, building maintenance, and other costs. Other benefits include healthier work environments and increased worker productivity.)
10. Transportation Improvement:
    The Davis Administration is making more than $7 billion in improvements to state highways.
    • This $7 billion is more transportation spending than any other time in California and nearly double the amount in 1998. One in every five miles of California's highways is under improvement.
    • These transportation investments are supporting more than 156,000 jobs and generating nearly $18 billion in economic stimulus.
11. Veterans' Homes and Armories: In March 2000, California voters approved Proposition 16, which supports development of new veterans' facilities. Through partnerships with the federal government, California has started several major projects and is working to upgrade armories around the state.
    • Projects are underway at the Yountville Veterans' Home, including: waterline improvements, electrical improvements and a new 75-bed facility.
    • Plans are underway for five new veterans' homes: West Los Angeles, Lancaster and Ventura, Fresno, and Redding.
    • Upgrades are ongoing at armories located in Azusa, Lancaster, San Luis Obispo and San Diego.