State Capitol Updates
Streetsblog California
Advocates: New Senate Transportation Chair Should Be a Climate Champion
With the new legislative session, California has opportunities for new leadership that recognizes that transportation policy can be a tool for fighting climate change.
December 8, 2020
Op-Ed: It Is Time to Appoint Real Climate Leaders Who Understand Equity and Justice in California
California needs bold leadership at every level and in every agency to ensure the Governor's visionary Executive Orders become reality.
December 2, 2020
Another California Executive Order: Conserve Lands, Align Policies to Fight Climate Change
Advocates applaud the order, but how does it fit with ongoing efforts to widen freeways and drill more oil wells?
October 8, 2020
Governor Signs Housing, Sustainable Transportation Bills
But he vetoes a bill declaring housing as a human right, inconsistent with his willingness to set aspirational goals in other areas (such as electric vehicle mandates)
September 29, 2020
Governor Newsom’s Executive Order: No New Fossil-Fuel Vehicles in California by 2035
As part of Climate Week 2020, California Governor Newsom today issued an executive order declaring the goal of eliminating fossil fuels from transportation, a sector that produces half of California's toxic and greenhouse gas emissions. The order calls for ending all sales of new fossil-fuel-powered vehicles in the next fifteen years, and calls on various state agencies to begin formulating regulations and strategies, and identifying actions and investments, to create a "just transition" away from reliance on fossil fuels.
September 23, 2020
Bill to Streamline Transit, Bike, Pedestrian Projects Sails Through to the Governor
It's a tiny beginning towards balancing the scales between car travel and cleaner, more sustainable modes.
August 31, 2020
Bill That Would Have Crushed Bike and Scooter-Share Amended
AB 1268 would have made e-scooter-share and e-bike-share companies functionally uninsurable — until advocates successfully pressured California to amend the controversial bill.
August 27, 2020
This Bill Could Kill Bike and Scooter Share in California
Assembly Bill 1286 would functionally ban scooters, e-bikes and other electric-assist modes from the road — if advocates don't speak up.
August 25, 2020
Legislative Update: Deadlines under COVID Pressures
Today is the last day to amend bills in Sacramento. August 31 is the last day to reconcile bills in both houses. The legislative agenda has been pared to the bone, but pressure is high to get some kind of housing fixes passed. While the Judicial Council removed its moratorium on evictions during COVID, leaving it up to the legislature to fix, there is only one bill left that contains anything addressing evictions. The last-minute rush is not reassuring.
August 21, 2020
Legislative Update: Housing Bills Still in Play
The bills address, generally, tenant protections, homelessness prevention and shelter, and encouraging more housing, sometimes by limiting restrictions local jurisdictions can apply.
July 30, 2020
