California to vote on transportation bond measure

California to vote on transportation bond measure    The California Legislature this week agreed to place on the November ballot a $19.9 billion bond to fund repairs, reduce congestion and improve port security.
   The bond includes $4.5 billion to increase capacity and reduce congestion on key corridors and $3.1 billion to relieve traffic congestion along major trade corridors, improve freight rail facilities, and enhance the movement of goods from port to marketplace.
   The bond measure, a key aspect of Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger’s $222 billion plan to overhaul California’s sagging infrastructure, has faced challenges from state politicians — both Democrats, who fought for more regional control of the bond money, and from Republicans, who said the amount was too onerous for a state already facing a severe budget shortfall.
   The bond money would also provide matching funds up to $1 billion for projects funded by local governments.