Bay Area Residents Offer Strong Bi-Partisan Support for Infrastructure Bond Proposals in Sacramento; Support High for Transportation and Education.

SAN FRANCISCO -- Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger, Senate President pro Tempore Don Perata (D-Oakland) and Assembly Speaker Fabian Nunez (D- Los Angeles) are negotiating respective infrastructure bond proposals for a possible statewide vote. Seventy-four percent of the Bay Area's approximately 7 million residents are inclined to vote yes on either all or some of the bond proposals, according to results of the 2006 Bay Area Council Poll of 600 residents released today.

Support is largely bi-partisan, with 70 percent of Bay Area Democrats saying they would vote yes on all or some of the bonds, and 77 percent of Republicans would support them.

The Bay Area Council asked about individual items being considered in the infrastructure proposals, coupled with a dollar amount. Some items earn much stronger support in the Bay Area than others. The most popular item was $12 billion for education, supported by 87 percent of total respondents. Next most popular was $6 billion for transportation projects, which 70 percent of Bay Area residents said they favor.

Support is not unexpected for these two items, after residents named transportation the most important issue facing the region, and education the fourth worst problem.

Less popular were $3 billion for water projects (65 percent), $3 billion for public safety (64 percent), and, barely earning a majority, $1 billion for the courts (52 percent).

"The Bay Area Council has been a persistent advocate for increased infrastructure investment, both publicly in the Bay Area and with legislators in Sacramento," said Jim Wunderman the president and CEO of the Bay Area Council. "Now that persistence appears to be paying off. California has a historic opportunity to reinvest in the state's future, and the Bay Area as a region and a people appears ready to convert that opportunity to success, if given the chance to vote. Above all else, the Bay Area Council hopes that leaders in Sacramento can negotiate a deal and let the voters decide, as soon as possible."

About the Bay Area Poll

A total of 600 residents of the nine-county Bay Area were surveyed in English and Spanish by Field Research Corporation during the period of January 16-23, 2006. Survey respondents were selected using a random probability sampling technique that gives all residents with telephones (listed or not) an equal chance of being selected for the survey. The sample was stratified to obtain representative samples in each of six Bay Area regions: Alameda County, Contra Costa County, San Francisco County, San Mateo County, Santa Clara County and the North Bay counties of Marin, Napa, Solano and Sonoma. After the completion of interviewing, the sample was weighted to conform to actual population estimates of the nine-county Bay Area. Findings are subject to a sampling error of plus or minus 4 percentage points at the 95 percent confidence level.

About the Bay Area Council

Founded in 1945, the Bay Area Council (www.bayareacouncil.org) develops and drives regional public policy initiatives and researches critical infrastructure issues. Led by CEOs, the Bay Area Council presents a strong, united voice for hundreds of major employers throughout the Bay Area region whom employ more than 490,000 workers, or 1 of every six private sector employees in the Bay Area. Jim Wunderman has served as president and CEO of the Bay Area Council since April of 2004.