Photo: From left to right: Jerry Amante, OCTA Chairman of the Board of Directors; Nadia Villafana, Field Representative for Assemblyman Jose Solorio; Senator Bob Haff ( Diamond Bar); Senator Lou Correa (Orange County); and Will Kempton OCTA Chief Executive Officer
For Immediate Release: March 22, 2010
Contact: Tammy Tran (714) 558-4400
SANTA ANA – Senator Lou Correa, Senator Bob Huff, and Assemblyman Jose Solorio were recognized today for their work on protecting $102 million in transportation funding for the county by the Orange County Transportation Authority (OCTA) Board of Directors. Senator Correa was a key advocate for Assembly Bill (AB) X8-11 signed by the Governor on March 8, 2010, to allow local agencies flexibility to use local funds for a project approved for funding by Proposition 116.
Jerry Amante, Chairman of the Board of Directors, and Will Kempton, Chief Executive Officer, presented the resolution in honor of Senator Correa’s time, effort, and dedication in steering AB X8-11 through a difficult special session, achieving broad consensus and defusing opposition.
“And I have a lot sleepless nights over the prospect that a large chunk of money was hanging out there during this time of difficult budget decisions in Sacramento,” said Kempton.
The bill, which will take effect in June, will allow projects ready for implementation, including grade separation and intercity rail projects that provide environmental benefits and improvements to the region’s multi-modal transportation system. It will also spur economic growth, including 6,000 jobs in Orange County.
Last year, Senator Correa brought back $35 million, $50 million every year thereafter for Orange County when the California state budget was narrowly approved in 2009. Senator Correa has been working tirelessly for many years to bring back taxpayer equity to Orange County.
“The people of Orange County pay their fair share of taxes and they should get a fair share of it back,” said Senator Lou Correa, at the OCTA Board of Directors meeting. “Creating and maintaining jobs in Orange County is one of my top priorities.”
Senator Correa represents the 34th Senate District, which includes Anaheim, Santa Ana, Garden Grove, Westminster, Stanton, Buena Park, and Fullerton.
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