Comment Log Display

*PLEASE SEE ATTACHED STATEWIDE SUPPORT LETTER FOR THE
TRANSPORTATION COALITION FOR LIVABLE COMMUNITIES FUNDING PROPOSAL*

Re: Support for Transportation Coalition Proposal in Cap and Trade
Investment Plan

Dear Chairperson Nichols:

Over 60 organizations from across the state -- ranging from
transportation and rail agencies to business and environmental
groups – are writing in support of the proposal submitted by the
Transportation Coalition for Livable Communities.  This proposal
would allocate funds equitably to regional governments to establish
a competitive grant process for local entities, under state
criteria, to incentivize integrated strategies that combine land
use changes with infrastructure investments at the neighborhood
scale to achieve greatest long term greenhouse gas emission (GHG)
benefits.

Unique from other funding proposals, the Transportation Coalition's
proposal would stimulate local innovation and flexibility to get
the greatest GHG reductions and best overall benefits for
communities – while cost effectively meeting the goals of AB 32 and
supporting co-benefits including: air quality, public health,
resource protection, equity, affordable housing, agriculture, and
safety.

This proposal integrates livable community infrastructure,
maintenance, and operations of the transportation system to
maximize GHG reductions from combinations of strategies – rather
than single purpose investments.  It also would serve as leverage
to investments in rail modernization, interregional plans, and
other funding mechanisms to encourage more sustainable growth and
transportation infrastructure. 

California faces a significant shortage in funds to maintain our
existing transportation system, and lacks adequate funding to build
an active transportation network.  This proposal would provide
funding for livable community investments to meet the challenges of
increasing development in existing urban and developed areas to
meet the requirements of SB 375.  This proposal would fund
GHG-reducing investments at the local level that implement regional
Sustainable Communities Strategies within existing urbanized or
developed areas – while also helping local governments meet
critical sustainable transportation infrastructure and maintenance
needs.

We support the Transportation Coalition’s proposal for combinations
of transportation investments, including: transit service,
operating, and maintenance costs; road and bridge maintenance;
retrofits for complete streets and urban greening; and clean
technology infrastructure – all integrated with land use changes to
achieve the maximum greenhouse gas emission reductions from the
transportation sector.

This proposal is consistent with AB 32, SB 375, and the provisions
of AB 1532 and SB 535 --- and most equitably and effectively meets
the transportation and greenhouse gas emission reduction goals of
the state and local communities.  We request that this proposal be
considered for inclusion in the Investment Plan.

Cap and trade revenue is public money resulting from the
administration of AB 32, the Global Warming Solutions Act.  It must
be spent to implement that law.  We believe the Transportation
Coalition's proposal provides the most public and local community
benefits while achieving the most cost effective implementation of
AB 32.  

Thank you for your consideration to include funding for this
proposal in the AB 32 Investment Plan.
Sincerely,

 
~Transit Agencies~
Capitol Corridor Joint Powers Authority
San Francisco Bay Area Rapid Transit District
Livermore Amador Valley Transit Authority
San Mateo County Transit District
Victor Valley Transit Authority
OmniTrans - San Bernardino Valley
Santa Cruz Metropolitan Transit District
California Transit Association*

~Northern California Agencies~
Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority
Humboldt County Association of Governments
Placer County Transportation Planning Agency
Shasta Regional Transportation Agency
City of Sacramento 
City of Davis
County of Marin
County of Santa Clara
County of Sacramento 
County of Napa
Napa County Transportation and Planning Agency
Napa Valley Transportation Authority
Sonoma County Transportation Authority
Sonoma County Regional Climate Protection Authority 
Alameda County Transportation Commission
Sacramento Area Council of Governments*
Metropolitan Transportation Commission*
Sacramento Metropolitan Air Quality Management District*

~Central Coast Agencies~ 
Transportation Agency for Monterey County
Santa Cruz County Regional Transportation Commission
San Luis Obispo Council of Governments
County of Monterey 

~San Joaquin Valley Agencies~ 
Kern Council of Governments
Merced County Association of Governments
Madera County Transportation Commission
County of Stanislaus 
San Joaquin Valley Regional Policy Council*

~Southern California Agencies~
County of San Bernardino 
Western Riverside Council of Governments
San Diego Council of Governments*
Southern California Association of Governments*

~Business & Group Associations~
United Contractors 
Bay Area Council
Urban Counties Caucus
Teichert
California Alliance for Jobs* 
Transportation California*
California State Association of Counties*
League of California Cities*
Self-Help Counties Coalition*
California Association of Councils of Governments*

~Non-Profits & Individual Support~
Local Government Commission
WALKSacramento
Sonoma County Bicycle Coalition 
Richmond SPOKES
California Urban Forests Council
Sacramento Tree Foundation
Sustainable Napa County
Met Sacramento High School 
Cobblestone Placemaking
Marlon Boarnet, Director of Graduate Programs in Planning and
Development, University of Southern California 
Natural Resources Defense Council*

*Indicates Transportation Coalition for Livable Communities Member
Organization