Public Works Czar Frets over Loss of Gas Tax Money

County public works czar Scott McGolpin warned that state efforts to snatch gas tax revenues now going to city and county governments “would kill our local road system.” McGolpin said the region would lose about $20 million a year if the State Legislature approved the tax shift, and Santa Barbara County would lose $6.3 million. Sacramento, now facing a $24-billion budget shortfall and projected to run out of cash next month, is desperately seeking new revenue sources and is aggressively pursuing any new revenues except those generated by new taxes. McGolpin said if the state succeeds, the county would lose funding for 38 road maintenance positions. Pothole repairs and tree-trimming would become a thing of the past, he warned, and public safety would definitely be compromised. McGolpin said 82 percent of the roadways in Santa Barbara County fall within the jurisdiction of the county or city governments.