RIVERSIDE COUNTY: Supervisors want state fast-track policy
Riverside County officials John Benoit and John Tavaglione say it takes too long to start a business
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2009/FILE PHOTO Riverside Press Enetrprise
Supervisor John Benoit, above, and John Tavaglione want legislation creating a "fast-track" permitting process for California agencies.
BY DUANE W. GANG
STAFF WRITER
Riverside Press Enterprise
Published: 20 November 2011 05:57 PM
Two Riverside County supervisors want legislation creating a formal “fast-track” policy for permits moving with California state agencies as a way to help jump start the economy.
Supervisors John Benoit and John Tavaglione on Tuesday will ask their colleagues to support the effort. If approved, county staff will work with lawmakers to introduce legislation in Sacramento.
“Time is money and those business owners and developers investing in California face enough regulations and hurdles as it is,” Tavaglione said in a statement.
“This proposal does not circumvent the state’s environmental review process or laws, it simply tells business owners here and abroad that once you have completed the environmental review process you will have your permit in just 90 days,” he said.
The county has had its own “fast-track” policy since 1994. A similar program is needed at the state level “to help stimulate the economic recovery and eliminate long delays in the permitting process,” the two supervisors write in their proposal.
“While numerous reforms in the tax code, environmental arena, and other reforms are necessary to get our statewide economy on track and create new jobs, expedited permitting is an excellent area to start the process in Sacramento,” they wrote.
If the proposal is approved Tuesday, staff will work on a bill’s language, engage the county’s lobbyists on the issue and travel to Sacramento to push the legislation. Staff also will work with trade and building industry groups to gather support, according to the proposal.
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