State Capitol Updates
Streetsblog California
Santa Monica Lawmaker Introduces Bill to End Statewide Rent Control Limitations
Assemblymember Richard Bloom (D-Santa Monica) introduced a bill that would repeal the Costa-Hawkins Rental Housing Act, the 1995 state law that weakened the strictest rent control laws in the state. The law required cities to allow property owners to raise rents on units when they were vacated, a practice that had been prohibited by strict rent control laws in Santa Monica, West Hollywood, Berkeley, Cotati, and East Palo Alto.
February 23, 2017
Bill Would Require Caltrans to Actually Follow Its Own Complete Streets Guidelines
Caltrans already has a “Complete Streets Program.” But the department too often makes moving vehicles a priority over safe and attractive infrastructure for people not sitting in a car.
February 22, 2017
New Bike Legislation that Works for Bicycle Riders
Richard Masoner at Cyclelicious has a roundup of new bicycle-related bills introduced just before California's deadline on Friday. Two are big news, including one that should clarify the rules about what the law about staying to the right actually means.
February 21, 2017
CA Transportation Funding Bill Passes its First Committee Hearing
The urgency has only increased since last year, but the only thing all participants seem to agree on is that something needs to be done.
February 15, 2017
Moving Forward on Automatic Speed Enforcement Cameras
The legislative push is on with the Safe Streets Act of 2017
February 14, 2017
New Senator Scott Wiener on Transit, Housing, and Complete Streets
Newly elected State Senator Scott Wiener talks Streetsblog issues. "Good, well-planned, transit oriented, compact housing—that's one of the most critical things we can be doing to meet our climate goals,” he said. “It's about driving less—about HAVING to drive less.”
February 3, 2017
Legislative Update: Cap-and-Trade to Get a Hearing
Two Democratic Assemblymembers got the ball rolling on settling the future of California's cap-and-trade program by introducing A.B. 151 yesterday. The bill would authorize the California Air Resources Board “to utilize a market-based compliance mechanism” to reduce greenhouse gases after 2020, when the current Global Warming Solutions Act expires.
January 13, 2017
Repeat Until Complete: Transportation, Housing Bills Reintroduced
On the first day of the new session, lawmakers introduced the same transportation bills as last session---they include some funding for transit and active transportation, but they don't reflect an understanding of how profoundly we need to change the way we travel if we want to lower greenhouse gas emissions.
December 7, 2016
CA Legislative Leaders Open Session: Defiance, Promises on Transportation
"The nation faces an existential threat," say California leaders. So it's time to get to work.
December 5, 2016
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
