On February 20, the CSAC Board of Directors approved priorities
for the Reauthorization of the Moving Ahead for Progress in the
21st Century Act (MAP 21). As counties know, MAP 21 was a
two-year authorization for surface transportation programs, which
expires September 30, 2014.
Board of Equalization Poised to Reduce Gas Tax by 3.5 Cents
On February 14, the Board of Equalization (BOE) announced that it
will consider lowering the state’s gas excise tax rate by 3.5
cents at its February 25 meeting. This would reduce the total gas
excise tax rate to 36 cents per gallon, down from the existing
39.5 cent rate.
California Transportation Infrastructure Priorities Report
Released
On February 6, the California State Transportation Agency
(CalSTA) released its “California Transportation Infrastructure
Priorities: Vision and Interim Recommendations” report. The
report is the culmination of a process that began when last
year’s state budget directed the new Transportation Agency to
work with representatives from across the transportation
community, including CSAC and cities, to develop funding
priorities and discuss long-term funding options.
California Road Repair Act Won’t Go to Voters in 2014
Transportation California and the California Alliance for jobs
have decided not to move forward with the California Road Repair
Act on the November 2014 ballot. As counties recall, at full
implementation the Act would have generated approximately $750
million a year in revenues for repairing and maintaining county
roads.
Once again, CSAC is supporting UCLA Extension’s Land Use Law and
Planning Conference as a cooperating organization. The 28th
annual conference will be held on Friday, January 31st at the
Millennium Biltmore Hotel in downtown Los Angeles. Conference
topics include CEQA, Takings, Demographics,
Planning/Zoning/Development Law, as well as a keynote address
from the last three planning directors for the City of San Diego.
Housing, Land Use, and Transportation Meeting Agenda
The Housing, Land Use and Transportation Policy Committee meeting
at CSAC’s 119th Annual Meeting in Santa Clara County will
focus on implementation of SB 375 and sustainable land use
planning policies, as well as tribal lands, Indian gaming and
CSAC’s policies related to tribal government-to-government
relations.
The US Department of Transportation was charged with studying the
potential impacts of allowing larger and heavier trucks on the
nation’s roadways as part of the Moving Ahead for Progress in the
21st Century Act (MAP-21). The study is now underway. This week,
CSAC sent a letter to the Secretary of Transportation urging the
Department to consider the impacts of heavier trucks on local
bridges and roadways in addition to state highways.
CSAC Comments on Revised Planning Grant Guidelines
CSAC submitted comments on the revised draft guidelines issued by
the Strategic Growth Council (Council) for the Proposition
84-funded Sustainable Communities Planning Grant and Incentives
program. CSAC’s comments supported the funding guideline’s
acknowledgement that full range of urban, suburban and rural
communities can benefit from the planning grant and incentive
program.
AB 325 (Alejo) – Opposition Removed
As Amended August 6, 2013
AB 325, by Assembly Member Luis Alejo, would expand the statute
of limitations to sue a county or city, challenging the adoption
of a housing element or a number of related local
ordinances.
AB 325 (Alejo) – Opposition Removed
As Amended August 6, 2013
AB 325, by Assembly Member Luis Alejo, would expand the statute
of limitations to sue a county or city, challenging the adoption
of a housing element or a number of related local
ordinances.
After months of negotiations, CSAC along with our local
government partners, have come to a final compromise on the
measure which removes our mutual opposition to the proposal. The
final compromise will change the existing statute of limitations
in the following ways:
AB 243 (Dickinson) – Support
As Amended on August 19, 2013
AB 243, by Assembly Member Roger Dickinson, would create
infrastructure and revitalization financing districts (IRFDs)
which are modeled after infrastructure financing districts (IFDs)
in existing law.
SB 684 (Hill) – Support
As Amended on August 13, 2013
SB 684, by Senator Jerry Hill, would authorize the extension,
preservation and retention of existing redevelopment signs with
approval of the county or city. The bill does not authorize new
signage nor are the existing signs under this proposal
billboards.
