Gov. Jerry Brown on Thursday called for stronger ties between California and China, announcing he'll lead a trade and investment trip to that country in April and will open a trade office in Shanghai.
The announcement came during Brown's State of the State Address, where he touted the strength of California's rebounding economy, promised fiscal discipline with Proposition 30 funding and compared high-speed rail to "The Little Engine That Could."
"Two years ago they were writing our obituary," Brown said. "Well, it didn't happen. California is back, our budget is balanced and we're on the move."
Brown brought up some of the same points mentioned during his budget announcement two weeks ago–namely that funding from the recently approved Proposition 30 must be spent wisely and that poor schools deserve more supplemental funding than those in well-off areas.
"Equal treatment for children in unequal situations is not justice," Brown said to applause from the legislators in attendance.
On the topic of high-speed rail, Brown described some of the first sections of track that will be built, and said construction will "finally" start this year.
"Yes it's bold, but so is everything about California," he said, noting similar high-speed rail systems in other countries.
Brown also called for a system of two 30-mile-long, 40-foot-wide tunnels underneath the Delta, designed to improve ecology and ease water supply south.
He said the project would cost about $14 billion, the same as the London Olympics, but would have a lasting benefit on the state.
A transcript of Brown's speech can be viewed on the state's website here.
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What did you think of the governor's speech and his proposals? Tell us in the comments section below.
in America now. Every time we make a deal with China, we get royally screwed. Walmart has to be jumping up and down with joy. If Moonbeam Brown wants a project, why not one titled 'BUY AMERICAN' Lot's of really great benefits with that one.
ships come in full from China. When they return, most of the containers are empty. They simply do not buy our more expensive goods. Why should they? They make them there. The trade 'balance' simply isn't balanced. This is just another revenue drain on the state. Jerry Brown is promoting himself, not California.
California is one of the 10 largest economies in the world with a gross state product of over $1.9 trillion. The largest export markets for U.S. goods in 2011 were Canada ($281 billion, up 13 percent), Mexico ($198 billion, up 21 percent), China ($104 billion, up 13 percent), and Japan ($66.2 billion, up 10 percent). California exports amounted to over $159 billion. Asia-Pacific California is the largest exporting state to Asia. In 2011, California exported almost $66 billion in goods to the region. Greater China California exports to Mainland China totaled $14.2 billion in 2011, a considerable increase from the previous year. Exports to Hong Kong grew in 2011 as well. Computers and electronic products accounted for 26 percent of exports to China. Hong Kong removed duty off wine in 2008, making it the first duty-free wine port amongst major economies. U.S. wine exports to Hong Kong went from $9 million in 2007 to $42 million in 2009.
It is Southern San Joaquin developers dream to paste the farmland from Merced to the I-5 with high density housing. They already own the land, they just need two things: Drinkable Water (to be piped under the Delta) Commuter train over the mountains into L.A. Once they successfully bribe and cajole our Representatives into this scam, then WE tax payers, and the Delta water quality will be footing the bill. California is TOO CROWDED all ready. We don't need fewer farms, and MORE people! Please read by Patch Blog on this: http://albany.patch.com/blog_posts/governor-moonbeam-misses-it-again