California DOT Raises Profile within State Government

On July 1, without contrary action by the California State Legislature, Caltrans and related state transportation agencies were merged into a new, Cabinet-level state transportation agency. "It gives transportation a focused voice in the governor's cabinet," says Bert Sandman with Transportation California, a transportation lobbying group. The governor proposed the consolidated transportation agency as part of a government reorganization plan through the Little Hoover Commission. Under the processes of the commission, the reorganization takes place automatically unless the legislature votes the proposal down.

Although the legislature yielded to the Governor, AB 1458 (Buchanan) is working its way through the legislature and would keep the California Transportation Commission as a separate agency....On another matter, SB 878 (DeSaulnier) is also moving through the legislature and would require a study of whether an inspector general position should be created for state transportation agencies to ensure public funds are utilized "efficiently, effectively, and in compliance with state and federal laws."