CA State Senate
Streetsblog California
Interview With Out-Going Climate Champion, State Senator Fran Pavley
California can be a model for the rest of the country and the world on how to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, grow the economy, and encourage healthy public debate---thanks to legislation authored by outgoing Senator Fran Pavley.
November 28, 2016
CA Transportation Funding Proposal Does Not Yet Support Climate Policies
Time is running out to find a solution for transportation funding in this legislative session. The latest proposal seems to include something for everyone, in an attempt to forge an agreement--but it falls short when it comes to California's climate goals.
November 16, 2016
Some Bright Spots in California’s Election Returns
Despite the outcome nationally, there are reasons to celebrate election results in California, especially around environmental issues. The big one, of course, was the statewide plastic bag ban, which voters approved resoundingly, while defeating a measure that tried to distract voters from the main question.
November 10, 2016
California Legislative Wrap-up: Session Over, Bills Signed
Today is the deadline for California Governor Jerry Brown to sign or reject any bills passed by the legislature this session, so there has been a flurry of activity in the last few days. Here's a quick look at few freshly signed laws pertinent to sustainable transportation and the climate.
September 29, 2016
Governor Brown Signs Legislation Extending CA Climate Change Targets
In a signing ceremony at Vista Hermosa Park in Los Angeles today, Governor Jerry Brown signed legislation extending state climate change targets through at least 2030. The governor was joined by key legislators who shepherded the legislation's approval. These included Senate President Pro Tempore Kevin De Leon, Assembly Speaker Anthony Rendon, Senator Fran Pavley, Assemblymember Eduardo Garcia, Senator Ricardo Lara, and assemblymembers Reggie Jones-Sawyer, Jimmy Gomez, Richard Bloom, and Matt Dababneh.
September 8, 2016
Legislative Wrap-up: Environmental Justice, Cap-and-Trade Funding
The lead-up to the end of the California legislative session at midnight last night included a standard amount of grandstanding, tearful farewells, laughter, and exhaustion. Some bills passed and will now await the governor's good graces, and some died on the legislature floor. Here's a quick recap of a few bills relevant to sustainable streets. Details on each follow:
September 1, 2016
Op-Ed: Time to Enact a Practical Transportation Funding Plan
In response to our recent story about legislative efforts to find a compromise on transportation funding, Streetsblog received the following post from Art Hadnett, president of HNTB’s West Division.
August 29, 2016
New Transportation Funding Plan: A Hot Mess, With Some Active Transp $
After several weeks of rumors, legislative leaders of the Special Session on Transportation and Infrastructure have released their proposal for a funding plan that shows how much compromise it can take to get an agreement.
August 25, 2016
Assembly Passes Bills to Extend Greenhouse Gas Targets to 2030
Today, the California Assembly passed A.B. 197, the companion bill to the Senate's greenhouse gas reduction target bill, S.B. 32, which it passed yesterday. A.B. 197 will now go to Governor Jerry Brown to sign into law, which he has said he is eager to do. S.B. 32, which extends greenhouse gas reduction targets out until 2030, passed the Senate later in the afternoon and is also headed to the governor's desk.
August 24, 2016
California Senate Proposal for Cap-and-Trade Revenues Focuses on Equity
The Senate released a spending plan for the unallocated portion of cap-and-trade revenues today, in the form of Assembly Bill 1613. The plan, say Senate leaders and advocates, focuses on environmental equity while supporting projects that will reduce greenhouse gases.
August 17, 2016