State Capitol Updates
Streetsblog California
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
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
Legislature Must Decide the Fate of Three Environmental Justice Bills Before Midnight
Among the bills the state Senate and Assembly must decide upon before today's deadline—the session ends at midnight tonight—are several that attempt to make up for past and current injustices by giving voice to the California communities that are most affected by climate change and pollution.
August 31, 2016