Since the 1970s, state-level investment in infrastructure for roads, water supply, K-12 and higher education facilities and other public facilities has stagnated. California is literally living off its earlier investments in water resources, higher education, and transportation. These "keystone" investments were made during the Earl Warren and Pat Brown eras when per capita state-government capital outlay spending exceeded $150 (in 1996 dollars). Since the late 1970s, real, state capital outlay spending has fallen to $30 per capita; and local spending has plummeted at the same time. The net result is that California has not adequately invested in expanding and maintaining its infrastructure. Inadequate investment in public infrastructure means that congestion and declining service quality is pervasive and driving up business and household costs. Perhaps more importantly, California's access to fundamental infrastructure services – higher education, health and social services and mobility is declining, especially for low-income ethnic minorities. Lack of investment in infrastructure maintenance is accelerating physical deterioration of key public assets and reducing the quantity and quality of services. unless the state reverses these trends, California's economic future is threatened. The big question:  Are the same trends taking place at the local government level?

Principal Investigator:
David Dowall

Contact Information:
Tel:  510.642.6579
Fax:  510.643.9576
Email:  dowall@berkeley.edu

Funding Information:
U.C. Berkeley - Fisher Center for Real Estate and Urban Economics

Start Date: 7/1/05