Recent Streetsblog CALIFORNIA posts about Legislation

"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.

Image from Outlook Archives via Susan Cloke

Santa Monica Lawmaker Introduces Bill to End Statewide Rent Control Limitations

By Jason Islas | Feb 23, 2017 | 1 Comment

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.

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