State Capitol Updates
Streetsblog California
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
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
Recap: California Transportation Sales Taxes on Today’s Ballot
Among the many important issues to be decided in today's election are a whole bunch of transportation funding measures. We have already covered many of them at Streetsblog, and there's a quick summary of them at Streetsblog USA.
November 8, 2016