By Jim Christie

SAN FRANCISCO (Reuters) - California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger called on lawmakers on Wednesday to pass legislation to allow the private sector to have a bigger role in building, operating and maintaining the state's public works.

The Republican governor, who has often spoken in favor of public-private partnerships to improve and expand state infrastructure, urged the state's Democrat-led legislature to approve bills that would expand the types of projects, services and government entities that could enter into such tie-ups.

Schwarzenegger and top lawmakers rallied voters last year to support ballot measures authorizing more than $40 billion in general obligation debt to finance various public works projects. But he has maintained those funds represent a fraction of the investment the country's most populous state must make in its infrastructure.

His administration estimates California requires $500 billion in public works investment over the next two decades, an effort he expects the private sector to join if lawmakers allow.

“The bonds approved by voters last year marked the first major investment in California's infrastructure in decades, but the job is far from finished,” Schwarzenegger said in a statement. Full Story...

Posted by dcjaya at December 26, 2007 1:13 AM