Recent Streetsblog CALIFORNIA posts about Senate

S.B. 1 needed 54 votes in the Assembly to pass, and this was how the vote looked for a good five minutes at the end of the night. Assemblymembers Cooper, Grayson, and Muratsuchi eventually voted yes.

Transportation Funding Bill Passes with Closed-Door Deals and Public Posturing

By Melanie Curry | Apr 7, 2017 | 18 Comments

All afternoon the Senate and Assembly had hosted “debates” on the bill, but those served mainly as an opportunity for grandstanding. Most minds had been made up, and the real negotiations, to convince the few undecided votes, was going on behind closed doors.

"We are the union! Mighty mighty union! Fighting for our roads!" Union members rallied in support of S.B. 1 today in Sacramento. Image: screengrab from Senate TV

What’s in the Gas-Tax-Raising Transportation Funding Bill?

By Melanie Curry | Apr 5, 2017 | 35 Comments

There are a lot of good things in S.B. 1, including raising gas taxes to better reflect how much wear and tear vehicles actually impose on California roads. But then there's that dirty truck amendment.

Governor Jerry Brown stumps for the transportation funding package at the capitol. Image: Screengrab from Senate TV

This post is supported by GJEL Accident Attorneys

After Years of Inaction, a Rush to Approve CA Transportation Funding Bill

By Melanie Curry | Apr 4, 2017 | 3 Comments

A fix to a late amendment wasn't enough for environmental justice advocates, and the Republicans--well, their support is irrelevant. But the rush to pass S.B. 1 is hampering what could be a very good transportation funding bill.

Governor Jerry Brown, flanked by Assembly Speaker Anthony Rendon and Senate President Pro Tem Kevin de León, with S.B. 1 author Senator Jim Beall looking on, touts the new transportation funding agreement.

Transportation Funding Bill Poisoned by Truck Amendment

By Melanie Curry | Mar 30, 2017 | 39 Comments

A last-minute amendment exempting trucks from air quality rules threatens to poison an otherwise strong[er] transportation funding bill. The political calculus to get 2/3 vote makes this kind of amendment a risk.

California Legislative Update: Bikes, Pedestrians, Signals, Fairness

By Melanie Curry | Mar 3, 2017 | 1 Comment

The California legislative session has begun in earnest, and it’s time to take a look at some of the bills that have been introduced for this year. Below is a roundup of current bills concerned with bicycling, walking, safety, transportation, and equity. Streetsblog has already covered some of these bills, and will certainly do so […]

What Are California’s Real Priorities?

By Melanie Curry | Mar 1, 2017 | 3 Comments

Everyone agrees that transportation investment is needed. But the talk is too much about how to get the money, not enough on how best to spend the money.

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