TransForm takes positions on certain important pieces of legislation related to transportation and land use.  Please fill out this form if you'd like to request TransForm take a position.

SAVE the DATE!

1st Annual Transportation Choices Summit - May 1-2, 2012 - Sacramento

2012 Policy Priority: More Transit Funding

In recent months, TransForm has engaged diverse stakeholders — environmental, equity, health and other advocates as well as transit agencies, labor, business, etc. — regarding which state transportation funding reforms we should collectively prioritize.  We found significant general agreement on the importance of securing as much new state-level funding as possible as soon as possible — with a strong focus on transit, bike and pedestrian facilities and also improved road, highway and bridge maintenance.

We also found that even though there is significant general agreement regarding what to prioritize, there is a serious lack of trust among many of the groups that will need to work together to have the political muscle to push through and win needed reforms.  In 2012, TransForm is redoubling our efforts to build and support a cohesive statewide network that can sustain coordination over a period of many years.

Cap and Trade Revenues Best Hope for 2012

The most likely path to increased transit funding this year is through the new Cap and Trade program being developed by the Air Resources Board.  The initial estimate coming out of the Governor’s budget proposal is that Cap and Trade could bring in $1 billion even the first year (other estimates are lower, perhaps only in the hundreds of millions the first year).  Over time, the program should generate many billions of dollars each year as the program is expanded and emissions allowances sold by the state become more expensive.

In his budget, Governor Brown proposes allocating cap-and-trade revenues to: clean and efficient energy programs; natural resource protection; low-carbon transportation, including transit; and sustainable infrastructure development, including transportation and housing.  TransForm applauds the governor's proposal.  We have been engaging our allies and other stakeholders as well as key legislative offices to advance specific policy proposals to ensure that our priorities are front and center as the legislature and governor flesh out and refine the cap and trade revenue allocations.

Need More Information?

For the most up-to-date information on the status of these bills go to http://legislature.ca.gov/

Have questions? Contact Graham Brownstein, State Policy Director.

Want to submit a piece of legislation for TransForm to take a position on? Fill out the request form.