Title: Invest for California
Description: Governor Gray Davis’ Charge to the Commission on Building for the 21st Century

Shortly after taking office, Governor Gray Davis appointed the independent 48-member Commission on Building for the 21st Century through Executive Order D-4-99. The Governor appointed leaders from across the State representing business, labor, the environment, academics, and the government to provide recommendations to the Governor and other public and private sector leaders to address the State’s infrastructure challenges over the next 20 years.

THE COMMISSION PROCESS
The Commission created four committees to examine facility, natural resources, technology and transportation infrastructure needs. A fifth committee was formed to develop crosscutting recommendations for financing infrastructure investment strategies. Meetings were held statewide for the full Commission and each of the committees. Over a two and one-half year period, a total of 14 full Commission and 46 committee meetings were conducted.

The Commission, in its first report to the Governor in May 1999, described a future whereby Californians could maintain and enhance their high standard for quality of life through: public and private partnerships to plan for this new century; a technologically state-of-the-art school system; an efficient and reliable transportation system; a sufficient supply of adequate and affordable housing; a safe and reliable water system; and world-class parks and open spaces for recreation and tourism. 

These would be accomplished through an infrastructure financing strategy that fully leverages federal, state, and local financial resources, creates opportunities for creative investment and innovative financing, and provides incentives for ensuring a maximum rate of return to the State on its project choices. In August 1999, the Commission issued an interim report to Governor Davis recommending immediate critical bond priorities for housing, parks and open space preservation,water quality and supply, and transportation. In addition, the Commission developed interim recommendations to expedite transportation project delivery, provide Internet access in schools and establish community technology centers. 

This document is the final report of the Commission. It is intended to communicate the most important messages and findings of the Commission to the Governor, the Legislature, and the citizens of California. It distills the results of the Commissioners’ best thinking, research, expert testimony, public comment, consultation, analysis, debate and deliberation.

This document and interim materials can be found at the website of the Business, Transportation and Housing Agency (www.bth.ca.gov).
Subjects: Infrastructure (Economics), Regional planning, Strategic planning
Places: California
People: Gray Davis
Time periods: 2000-2002