State Capitol Updates
Streetsblog California
Dublin BART Parking Battle Takes a New Twist
A local assemblymember secured a promise of $20 million in state funding to build a parking garage for BART. But in the interim staff had come up with intriguing alternative proposals, and the board of directors opted for the quicker and less expensive option.
August 8, 2017
Governor Brown Signs Cap and Trade Extension
California's landmark cap-and-trade bill was signed today by Governor Jerry Brown. It was a speech-filled occasion: a victory celebration, a moment to crow--and a chance to warn of the existential threat of climate change.
July 25, 2017
Legislative Update: Equity on the CTC
A.B. 179 tries to ensure that the concerns of people affected by transportation projects—not just those who use them—will be represented on the California Transportation Commission. But the bill has been softened to a statement on the need for diversity.
July 21, 2017
CA Legislature Passes Cap & Trade Bill; Questions Remain
California reauthorized its cap-and-trade program aimed at reducing greenhouse gas emissions. It's a landmark victory and a rare bipartisan accord; it brings some certainty to California climate change policy-- and it leaves a lot of open questions.
July 18, 2017
Cap-and-Trade Extension: It’s a Compromise, But It’s What We Got
Many of the bill’s opponents at this hearing agree that there is no time to waste. They have been arguing that cap-and-trade is not working as intended—that its emission reductions are inadequate, and that in some cases the program has led to an increase in local emissions of other harmful pollutants by allowing industries to buy their way out of cleaning up their practices.
July 14, 2017
Vote on Cap-and-Trade Bills Postponed to “Allow Discussion”
Governor Brown is pushing hard to pass two bills that would reauthorize California's cap-and-trade system, but proponents of strong climate change policies say that the legislative package could seriously undermine those efforts.
July 12, 2017
Help Ensure that S.B. 1 Tax Money Is Wisely Spent
While there is a push to make quick decisions and get projects on the ground fast, there is also counter pressure to take enough time to get these decisions right. There won't be another opportunity to raise money for transportation any time soon.
July 11, 2017
Legislative Update: Greenhouse Gas Targets, Rolling Turns, Fare Evasion, Disabled Placards, BART Housing
The Assembly Transportation Committee heard and passed along several bills this week.
June 28, 2017
Legislative Update: CTC Representation, Youth Transit Passes, GHG Emissions
As Friday's deadline approaches for bills to either be passed from their legislative house of origin or die, the halls of the capitol in Sacramento are getting hectic. Here is some of what has transpired in relation to sustainable transportation issues:
June 1, 2017
Ped Crossing Bill Moves Forward, Bike Stop/Yield Bill on Hold
The pedestrian countdown crossing bill is a needed update to an outdated law. The stop-sign-as-yield bill upsets people who don't understand its intent.
May 9, 2017
