Tag Archives: Public Health

Vote No on Measure A – Watch Tim’s and Mike’s Video

Tim Irvine of Environmental Democrats of Sacramento County, and Mike McKeever, former CEO of the Sacramento Area Council of Governments (SACOG) react to a new flyer released about Measure A.

Measure A would cause sprawl development to surge by funding roadway capacity expansion projects (including a new expressway); this would prevent our region from meeting State and federal air quality and climate mandates — thereby making us ineligible for their transportation and housing funds. Measure A represents the opposite of the SACRAMENTO BLUEPRINT principles of affordable, transit-served infill development and natural resource protection, for which our region has received national acclaim. VOTE No on Measure A.

Now Available: “Improving Safety for Pedestrians and Bicyclists Accessing Transit” Guide

In an effort to improve safety for pedestrians and bicyclists accessing transit, the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) and Federal Transit Administration (FTA) have released a new guide, which includes a variety of approaches to address common safety issues that are likely to arise near transit stations, bus stops and other places where transit (bus or rail) is operated.

The new guide, Improving Safety for Pedestrians and Bicyclists Accessing Transit, provides agencies with a thorough look at pedestrian and bicyclist safety considerations in accessing and using transit. The guide can help transit agencies, state and local roadway owners, and regional organizations by providing a comprehensive understanding of how to address pedestrian and bicyclist safety concerns related to accessing transit.

Additional resources and information on FHWA efforts to improve safety for all road users can be found here.

Residents Invited to View City’s Initial ‘Transportation Priorities Plan’ at These Two Meetings

August 17, 2022 – From the City Express, the news website for the City of Sacramento government

The City of Sacramento has reached phase two of its Transportation Priorities Plan and unveiled the initial project prioritization. Community members are invited to two virtual meetings on Aug. 24 and 27 to learn more and provide feedback.

The Department of Public Works in 2021 began working on the first-of-its-kind priorities plan and engaged communities to hear about their transportation values and gather input on recommendations.

“When it comes to investing in transportation, we wanted to know what matters most to Sacramento’s communities,” Transportation Planning Manager Jennifer Donlon Wyant said. “The input in phase one has allowed us to conduct the initial prioritization of the over 700 approved transportation projects in the City.”

Throughout 2021 and in early 2022, staff engaged communities through virtual gatherings, surveys, a youth-focused program and meetings with local organizations.

In March 2022, City Council adopted a set of criteria and process to prioritize the transportation investments based on those community values. This prioritization is needed because there are many transportation needs and the majority of transportation funding is from competitive grants, officials said.

It is estimated the City would need about $5 billion to complete all of the identified transportation improvements and maintenance projects.

The criteria approved by Council include: improve air quality, climate and health; provide equitable investment; provide access to destinations; improve transportation safety; and fix and maintain the transportation system.

Staff used this criteria to prioritize approved transportation projects. Projects that best meet community values are considered high priority projects. Medium priority are projects that meet some community values but not all. Lower priority projects do not align well with community values for transportation investment.

“As we move into phase two, we’re excited and ready to share the initial prioritization and hear from our communities,” Donlon Wyant said.

Residents can learn more about the initial prioritization and share input in many ways.

  • Register for a virtual gathering session (6 p.m. Aug. 24 or 10 a.m. Aug. 27)
  • Complete a comment form, available in multiple languages
  • Provide feedback on an online map, available in multiple languages
  • Meet the team at community events across the city throughout August

The Inflation Reduction Act

From the Citizens’ Climate Lobby Sacramento Chapter, July 29, 2022:

Fellow Climate Advocates –

Again, there is a climate bill in Congress – The Energy Security and Climate Change Investments in the Inflation Reduction Act of 2022 – the Inflation Reduction Act for short.

We have waited a long time for a climate bill and endured several false starts in the past year. This bill is not perfect, but it has many good things in it for reducing greenhouse gas emissions. Passage by August 6, 2022 is critical before the Congressional August Recess and before campaign season ramps up.

The bill includes– a fee on methane – one of the worst greenhouse gases. It would put about $385 billion into combating climate change and bolstering U.S. energy production through changes that would encourage nearly the whole economy to cut carbon emissions. It is the most significant investment in climate action the US has ever taken. And, it could be our last chance for several years to pass strong climate legislation.

The Washington Post has an excellent analysis of the bill. Note the column on the right of the article which allows you to skip to the topics that interest you. https://www.washingtonpost.com/us-policy/2022/07/28/manchin-schumer-climate-deal/

Please take action. Write your Senators and member of the House. Tell them to pass this bill. Ask your friends with Democratic Senators to do the same – particularly if they live in Arizona!

For those of you who are focused on the County CAP and City CAAP – there is funding for that affects us locally: $260 billion in clean-energy tax credits, $80 billion in rebates for EVs, new and used (tied to annual income), and $20 billion for agriculture subsidies to help farmers reduce emissions.

Take Action – Call or write your Senators and member of the House today. The vote could be next week. Go here to a CCL website that helps you with a script, FAQs and can identify your senator and member of the House of Representative for you: https://citizensclimatelobby.org/get-loud-take-action/

You can also google them and write through their government emails.

Possible text – feel free to customize and say why you are passionate about climate change.

I’m a constituent and a voter. I’m writing to urge you to support and vote for the Inflation Reduction Act that — when enacted — will make historic investments in clean energy and will finally put America on the path to reducing greenhouse gas emissions in line with America’s Paris commitment. The quality of life of my children and grandchildren, and yours – depend on it.

PS. Do not allow the Perfect to be the Enemy of the Good. Yes, there is a gift in the bill to the fossil fuel industry. BUT – The bill that can pass is the best one. And we are out of time. Out of time in Congress. Out of time in California. Out of time on Earth.

Write today and call on Monday. Thank you.

Edith Thacher

Chapter Lead, Citizens’ Climate Lobby Sacramento/Roseville