September 16, 2008

The San Mateo County Board of Supervisors today unanimously approved resolutions in favor of the state issuing billions of dollars in bonds to fund a high-speed passenger train linking Northern and Southern California and in opposition of an amendment to the state constitution that would limit marriage to opposite-sex couples.

Board members this morning voted to pass a resolution in support of Proposition 1A, which asks California voters to decide if the state can sell $9.95 billion in general obligation bonds to fund the construction of a high-speed rail system connecting the San Francisco Transbay Terminal to Los Angeles Union Station, according to the county manager's report.

Of the bond money, $9 billion would be used to construct the San Francisco to Los Angeles segment, with $950 million used to enhance other passenger rail systems and connect them to the high-speed rail system.

If built, the system would enable travelers to go from the Bay Area to the Los Angeles area in less than three hours on a train traveling at speeds of 220 mph.

The board also unanimously passed a resolution in favor of AB 3034, which was signed into law Aug. 26 and revised Proposition 1 to appear as Proposition 1A and amended the proposition to include provisions such as a review committee to increase the accountability of the board that is planning the rail system.

The fiscal impact of Proposition 1A reported by the Legislative Analyst's Office is estimated around $19.4 billion over 30 years to pay off the principal and interest costs of the bonds as well as $1 billion in annual maintenance and operation costs, to be offset by a projected $1 billion in annual profits, according to the county manager's report.

The proposition requires a majority vote to pass.

The Board of Supervisors took further action in relation to the upcoming Nov. 4 presidential election, unanimously approving a resolution in opposition of Proposition 8, which would amend the state constitution to specify that only marriage between a man and woman be legally recognized in California.

Deputy County Manager Mary McMillan said the resolution to oppose Proposition 8 "is consistent with the county's long-standing history of equal protection."

Supervisor Mark Church commented on the resolution before the board voted. Church said he supports the California Supreme Court's May 15 decision that same-sex couples have a right to marry under the state's constitution.

"I support the Supreme Court's decision and will therefore vote in favor of a resolution in opposition to Prop. 8," he said this morning.

The Board of Supervisors then voted unanimously to pass a resolution in opposition of the proposition.

Supervisor Rich Gordon, who married his domestic partner of 25 years in a ceremony in Half Moon Bay Aug. 16, said he hopes the Board's vote will encourage county residents to turn down Proposition 8.

"The effort to overturn and reverse the ruling of the Supreme Court, I find to be very harmful and hurtful," Gordon said. "So I was pleased that this Board of Supervisors unanimously rejected that concept and by its stand urged citizens of San Mateo County to support the position of No on Prop. 8, a position that really affirms equality and fairness."

Gordon said he believes the county's long-standing tradition of promoting equality was upheld with the Board's vote this morning.

"My personal experience has been that this is a very accepting and affirming place to live," Gordon said.

"We have always taken a position in this county that supports equality and fairness. I think that our action today is obviously in keeping with that pattern and that record," he added.

The county manager's report states that if Proposition 8 is passed, state and local governments could miss out on millions of dollars in sales tax revenue from same-sex couples' wedding spending. The measure would have little long-term fiscal impact, according to the legislative analyst's office.

The proposition requires a majority vote to pass.

Both resolutions passed today on the state propositions were recommended by the Board's Legislative Committee, according to McMillan.

Propositions 1A and 8 will appear on the Nov. 4 ballot. The last day to register to vote in San Mateo County is Oct. 20, according to the county elections office.

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