Arnold Schwarzenegger today was joined by Building America’s Future co-chairs Pennsylvania Governor Edward Rendell and New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg to hold a meeting with President Barack Obama on plans to strengthen the nation’s infrastructure. The meeting was followed by a media availability.

Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger met with President Barack Obama at the White House today to discuss the importance of large-scale and sustained federal infrastructure investment to the nation’s economic growth, environmental protection and national security. Joined by Pennsylvania Governor Ed Rendell and New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg, his co-chairs in the Building America’s Future coalition, the group encouraged a new era of infrastructure investment in the United States, noting that a visionary national infrastructure policy can play a central role not only in fostering immediate job creation but also in establishing long-term U.S. economic competitiveness, addressing global warming and our dependence of fossil fuels, improving national security and enhancing quality of life and safety across the nation.    

“Not only would greater, sustained investment in our nation’s ailing infrastructure create jobs immediately, it would also establish long-term economic competitiveness, address our environmental needs, and enhance the quality of life across our nation,” said Governor Schwarzenegger. “California knows first-hand from our Strategic Growth Plan that there are vast benefits to focusing on infrastructure, which is why we are aggressively pushing for long-term federal investment in our nation’s infrastructure needs.” 

The American Society of Civil Engineers estimates that the current grade of U.S. infrastructure is a “D” and estimate that the United States will need $2.2 trillion infrastructure investment from all levels of government and the private sector in the next five years alone.

Additionally, the National Surface Transportation Policy and Revenue Study Commission recommends significantly increasing investment in surface transportation, including investing $225 billion over the next 50 years to upgrade transportation systems needed to sustain economic growth. For more information on the infrastructure needs of the nation please visit the Building America’s Future, an organization chaired by Governor Schwarzenegger, Governor Rendell and Mayor Bloomberg

Championed by the Governor Schwarzenegger and approved by voters in 2006, California’s Strategic Growth plan authorized $42 billion in general obligation bonds for education, housing, levee repair, flood control, parks and transportation infrastructure. Conservative estimates show that every $1 billion spent on infrastructure creates approximately 18,000 jobs. # # #

* Gov. Schwarzenegger Issues Statement on Death of Four Oakland Police Officers                                                                                            

G overnor Arnold Schwarzenegger today issued the following statement regarding the death of Oakland Police Department (OPD) Sergeant Mark Dunakin of Tracy; Officer John Hege of Concord; Sergeant Ervin Romans of Danville; and Sergeant Daniel Sakai of Castro Valley:  “Like all Californians, Maria and I are shocked and saddened by the passing of Sergeant Mark Dunakin, Officer John Hege, Sergeant Ervin Romans and Sergeant Daniel Sakai.

All four officers willingly put themselves in harm’s way and their heroic sacrifice is a grave reminder of the dangers all law enforcement officers face while protecting our communities. Our deepest prayers and condolences go out to their loved ones as they mourn this terrible tragedy.”   

Dunakin, 40, was an 18-year veteran of the OPD and is survived by his wife and 3 children. Hege, 41, was a 10-year veteran of the OPD and is survived by his mother, father and two sisters. Romans, 43, was a 13-year veteran of the OPD and is survived by his wife and 3 children. Sakai, 35, was a 9-year veteran of the OPD and is survived by his wife and child.  Dunakin and Hege died after being shot following a routine traffic stop. Romans and Sakai, both SWAT team members, died of gunshot wounds after finding the suspect from the traffic stop in an apartment complex.  

In honor of the officers, Capitol flags will be flown at half-staff. # # #

  * Governor Schwarzenegger Issues Statement on Assembly Passageof Unemployment Insurance Legislation 

G overnor Arnold Schwarzenegger today issued the following statement after the state Assembly unanimously passed unemployment insurance related legislation:  “There is no higher priority in California right now than helping our unemployed and creating jobs so Californians can get back to work. It’s very encouraging that Democrats and Republicans in the Assembly worked across the aisle in order to pass a bill that will allow California to tap into billions in unemployment insurance benefits available through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act. Now, I urge our colleagues in the Senate to do the same. It’s what our economy needs.” This legislation was passed unanimously today by the Assembly. The Governor has been a longstanding supporter of utilizing federal economic stimulus funding for 20-week unemployment insurance benefit extensions – and the Administration has been working closely with the legislature to ensure federal economic stimulus funding is pumped into the California economy as quickly as possible.   www.recovery.ca.gov

  G overnor Arnold Schwarzenegger announced today the signing of a compact with the Pinoleville Pomo Nation located in Mendocino County, one mile north of the City of Ukiah. The compact follows a similar blueprint of the compacts Governor Schwarzenegger has previously negotiated in that it provides important benefits to the state, protects both employees and patrons, and provides for environmental protections. “I am pleased we were able to reach an agreement with the Pinoleville Pomo Nation that benefits the members of the tribe as well as the local community and the state,” said Governor Schwarzenegger.   

The compact will run through December 21, 2030, and allow a maximum of 900 slot machines at one gaming facility. Under the terms of the compact, the tribe will share 15 percent of annual net win revenues with the state.  The non-monetary aspects of the compact are similar to recent compacts signed by the Governor and reflect the Governor's priorities. 

Other provisions of the compact include but are not limited to:  Patron protections: the tribe agrees to binding arbitration before a retired judge for disputes over patron injuries and gambling.  Environmental protections: the tribe must prepare an environmental impact report and negotiate mitigation of any off-reservation impacts with the County.   

Employee protections: the tribe has granted employees the right to collectively bargain.  The tribe has agreed to participate in the state's worker's compensation system and unemployment insurance program, to comply with federal and state occupational health and safety standards, and to consent to the jurisdiction of the state agencies and courts enforcing all of those standards. The tribe also has agreed to enhanced employment discrimination provisions.   Revenue Sharing Trust Fund (RSTF): the tribe agrees to pay into RSTF when it operates over 700 slot machines.   

Enhanced audit and compliance review procedures.  State inspection of slot machines.  Minimum internal control standards (MICS).  The Tribe must adopt and comply with standards that meet or exceed the federal National Indian Gaming Commission standards.  The MICS are incorporated into the compact as an appendix, which shall be updated periodically by the California Gambling Control Commission and Tribal Gaming Agency, to ensure the MICS keep up with changing technology and industry standards.  The casino must meet or exceed the California Building Code and Public Safety Code as applicable to Mendocino County.  

Problem Gambling: the tribe must train supervisors and floor employees on identifying and managing problem gambling, include a responsible gaming message in advertising, provide signage and education materials at conspicuous locations aimed at preventing problem gambling, and adopt a code of conduct derived from the American Gaming Association's code.  

Labor Provisions: if the tribe employs 250 or more persons in a tribal casino facility, then the provisions of the Tribal Labor Relations Ordinance (TLRO) become effective.  TLRO provides for a secret ballot election. # # #