Roads, highways, bridges, power plants, waterways, and buildings need to be significantly upgraded. However, the financial reality dictates that such ambitious infrastructure projects must be properly prioritized and funded within the bounds of a budget. Critical upgrades must be undertaken with transparency, accountability, and frugality at a time when the state is facing years of enormous deficits. Independent voters will be looking to balance economic feasibility with much-needed infrastructure enhancement over the next few years.
My four years on my city council were defined by my budget battles with a public sector union.
![How Bikes Can Save Us [INFOGRAPHIC]](http://ivn.us/wp-content/themes/ivn/scripts/timthumb.php?src=http://ivn.us/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/biking-and-health.jpg&w=200&zc=1)
It’s no secret that Americans love their cars. We buy them, we drive them, we like them. But as gas prices increase, foreign dependency on oil is viewed more critically and controversies like the Gulf oil spill and Keystone XL dominant headlines, it’s interesting to examine solutions. One are bicycles. Highly popular modes of transportation in many areas of Europe, the United States could be prime area for the growth of bikes. Check out the infographic below to learn more about the health, environmental and economic benefits of bikes:
On Wednesday, TransCanada, the company planning the controversial Keystone XL oil pipeline, submitted alternate routes for the project after much criticism over its possibly harmful environmental effects.
The Deschutes River Conservancy is working with business, providing incentives to landowners to leave unused, paid for water in the river
Advocates for electronic privacy and a free and open internet are warning that the Cyber Intelligence Sharing and Protection Act (CISPA) threatens to further degrade Constitutional rights and liberties in cyberspace if it is not significantly amended.
The federal government was expected to pick up much of the tab but recent votes in Congress have killed potential funding. You’d think that would be enough to kill the zombie, but no. A new project plan was released on Monday.
Construction will begin in April on an extension of the Bay Area Rapid Transit (BART) line from Fremont in the East Bay to the Berryessa area of San Jose. Those living in the East Bay will more easily be able to get to work in Silicon Valley.
California hosts three of the the top five metropolitan areas for suspected mortgage fraud, according to a Treasury Department report released this week.
Business interests have long complained that California’s onerous rules and permit processes make it difficult for development to occur,
Cadiz Inc. of Los Angeles is proposing an ambitious, controversial water transfer and storage plan that, regardless of its advantages or problems, demonstrates the seriousness of California’s water problem.
