The California Supreme Court ruling upholds Proposition 35 that voters approved in 2000.  The initiative broadened authority for state agencies—like CalTrans-- to use private engineers. 

Paul Meyer is with the Consulting Engineers and Land Surveyors of California which represents private firms. He says the ruling comes at the right time for public works projects—like road improvements-- that will be funded with recently-approved bond money. 

  “The state has the tools and can use private engineers to help get the job done as quickly and efficiently as possible…” 

The court case began in 2002 when the Professional Engineers in California Government challenged Prop 35.  In a statement the union said the impact of the court’s decision could mean costs of nearly twice as much as using state civil service workers.