Damien Newton
Recent Posts
New “Kings Arena” CEQA Bill Would Still Nix LOS in “Transit Priority Areas”
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Steinberg’s hasty press conference held after the passage of SB 743 Last night, both California’s Senate and Assembly passed SB 743, Senator Darrell Steinberg’s legislation that replaced his original CEQA reform bill, SB 731, which promised to end the reign of Level of Service (LOS) in California urban planning. SB 743 would still eliminate of LOS to […]
CEQA Reform Update: Is This the End for LOS?
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Finally, some sanity may be coming to California’s most important environmental protection law, the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA). Under current law, all projects, be they rail lines, bike plans, or new buildings would have to prove that it would not impact local driving times or it would have to complete a costly mitigation plan. […]
In Battle Over Pensions, Feds Let Unions Hold Transit Hostage
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Labor unions weren’t happy when Governor Jerry Brown signed the Public Employees Pension Reform Act of 2012. The law, which applies to government workers across the state, allows government agencies more flexibility in extending the retirement age, increase employee contribution, and halt the practice of “pension spiking” for new employees. A full summary of the […]
Gov. Brown Could Sign Bill to Help Finance Sustainable Development in CA
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Governor Jerry Brown is poised to sign a bill that would enable cities and counties in California to finance regional smart growth plans and sustainable transportation improvements through the creation of Sustainable Communities Investment Authorities. SB 1, authored by State Senator Darrell Steinberg, is aimed at restoring some of the financing mechanisms lost after Brown […]
Why You Should Be Angry About CA’s “Highest Gas Tax in the Country”
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I know it’s tempting to gloat. Today, newspaper headlines are blaring the news that with the newest increase in the state’s gas tax, that California now has the highest gas tax in the country. As I said, I know it’s tempting. But, it’s the result of bad policy. None of the money from that increased […]
New Report Outlines How California Can Kick Its Addiction to Oil
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The government is encouraging you to drive a car, and if California is truly serious about reducing its oil dependency that needs to change. This is the unequivocal conclusion of Unraveling Ties to Petroleum a new report commissioned by Next 10 California and written by UCLA researchers Juan Matute, Director of the UCLA Local Climate Initiative, and Stephanie […]
Third Iteration of 3-Foot Bike Passing Bill Heads to Assembly Committee
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The pomp and circumstance for the most recent effort to mandate a 3-feet passing distance for cars overtaking bicyclists is noticeably more quiet than the past two years. Whatever the reason, perhaps cyclists aren’t willing to get their hopes up again after Governor Jerry Brown’s two incoherent veto messages in 2012 and 2011, the statewide […]
California Bike Coalition Sets An Ambitious Reform Agenda for 2013
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The top priority for California bicycle advocates this year? To ensure state funding for biking and walking gets better, not worse. That’s according to California Bicycle Coalition (CalBike) President Dave Snyder, who recently spoke with Streetsblog to lay out the organization’s goals and strategies in its 2013 legislative agenda, both in the capitol and across […]
“Browndoggle”? Efforts to Use HSR as Cudgel Against CA Dems Fizzle
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“The Browndoggle.” Opponents of Governor Jerry Brown and the California Democratic Party have been slamming the California High Speed Rail Authority for years. The political strategy seemed to be working. Four years after voters approved a tax increase to fund a segment of what was promised to be a high speed train connecting Sacramento to […]
More News on State Transpo Bills from Governor Brown’s Office
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In addition to the mixed news on legislation impacting bicyclists, Governor Brown acted on many other pieces of legislation that will have a direct impact on transportation planning and public safety. Governor Signs Law Allowing Undocumented Immigrants to Obtain Drivers Licenses Perhaps the most controversial action the Governor took last week will allow many undocumented […]
Gov. Brown Denies Cyclists “3,” But Signs Two Bills Boosting Bike Lanes
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For the second year in a row, California Governor Jerry Brown issued a last-minute veto of legislation mandating a minimum three-foot distance for motor vehicles to pass cyclists. However, two other bills making it easier for cities to implement bike lanes got the governor’s signature, albeit in watered-down form: AB 2245, which exempts bike lanes from excessive […]
NRDC, Move L.A. Push Governor Brown to Sign Smart Growth Bill
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Over the last year, three large regional transportation authorities have passed regional transportation plans that tie together transportation, land use, greenhouse gas emissions and public health mandated by S.B. 375 in 2008. Today, a new study by the Natural Resources Defense Council and Move L.A. praises the Los Angeles, Sacramento and San Diego regional planning […]