 In the mid-20th Century, California was the leader in the world
in creating a vibrant and effective system of public infrastructure
which accommodated the explosive post-World War II population
growth. The University of California, the State University system
and the Community Colleges; state freeways and highways, the
spectacular State Water Project which provided delivery and storage
of an adequate water supply for cities and farms, and the extensive
statewide power grid--most of it was initiated, planned and built
in that period of time. It is now 40 years later, our population
is 35 million going towards 50 million and there is no vision
or plan to rehabilitate or expand the existing infrastructure
systems. Our Institute seeks to be a major participant in developing
a vision and implementation plan for the critical infrastructure
systems of the 21st Century.
We know that it is not easy to excite the public and policy
makers about infrastructure systems. This is a topic that may
not be glamorous or glittery but includes the important functions
of clean water delivery, waste disposal, power, transportation
and goods movement, open space and clean air. Infrastructure
systems affect the quality of life for every Californian and
the cost of doing business for every participant in the world's
fifth largest economy.
We can't afford to ignore our deteriorating highways, bridges,
reservoirs and sewers. Failure to take action has real consequences
in our daily lives: longer commutes, power blackouts, unhealthy
water and air. The USC Keston Institute for Public Finance and Infrastructure Policy will
bring the considerable academic resources of a major university
to the discussion and develop programs and research to engage
the public and inform policy makers of the alternatives, the
costs, and the technology to rebuild our crumbling systems. We
must all work together to create a vision and a plan to provide
the adequate and safe resources for the outstanding lifestyle
and robust economy that California has exemplified since the
discovery of gold in the American River.
Michael Keston
Chairman of the Board, The Keston Institute for Public Finance and Infrastructure Policy
|
