Tag Archives: Transportation Choices

ROGER DICKINSON

Todd Smith and Roger Dickinson to speak 3/10

Please join ECOS’ Climate Change Committee on Thursday, March 10, 6 PM to hear Todd Smith discuss the Sacramento County Action Plan and Roger Dickinson speak about a potential new transportation ballot measure.

6:00: Welcome and Introductions

6:10: Sacramento County’s Climate Action Plan (CAP) draft was released (revised from September): https://planning.saccounty.net/PlansandProjectsIn-Progress/Documents/Climate%20Action%20Plan/Revised%20Final%20Draft%20CAP_February%202022.pdf
Comments on the CAP are due March 23.
Also March 23 (6 PM start): the Board of Supervisors will hold a CAP WORKSHOP (presentation and CAP discussion), and a presentation on its Climate Emergency Declaration’s Task Force.

Todd Smith, Sacramento County Planner, will provide an overview of changes to the CAP. Help us prepare comments. Get involved!

6:45: Transportation Ballot Measure for November election

Would increase sales tax in Sacramento County to generate almost $9 billion over 40 years for transportation improvements. Signature gatherers are being led by a coalition of developers, construction companies, and construction trade unions. As a “citizens group” (“A Committee for a Better Sacramento”; details: www.movesac.org), it needs 50%+1 for passage, rather than 67% if proposed by a government agency.

Its language is similar to the Measure A that was pulled in 2020 due to Covid … EXCEPT: $300 million to build the Capital Southeast Connector (Folsom-Elk Grove expressway [I-5 – US-50]). AND: it gives the Southeast Connector Authority the ability to determine whether it meets greenhouse gas (GHG) emission reduction requirements, rather than SACOG. This would lead to sprawl development and increased vehicle miles traveled, and prevent our region from reaching State-mandated GHG reduction.

Roger Dickinson will provide overview. He is Policy Director for Civic Well (formerly Local Government Commission); previously Executive Director of Transportation California, and State Asemblymember.
We will discuss our options.

7:15: Sacramento City
Transportation & Climate Workshop; Update, Climate Implementation Plan
March 15: City Council to consider and budget for transportation priorities: transit and complete streets — with infrastructure for walking, rolling, riding transit and driving.

7:25: Introduction of new ECOS activists, and their interests

Prior to adjournment, we welcome announcements, and other matters you may raise.

Link to join: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/6656164155
To phone in: 669-900-6833, Meeting ID: 665 616 4155

Biden is offering billions for transportation. Here’s how Sacramento can get its share

February 17, 2022 | By the Sacramento Bee Editorial Board | The Sacramento Bee

The need for a significant change in how we move around the area has never been greater. Transportation accounts for 56% of the city of Sacramento’s carbon emissions, making it a major contributor in the region’s upsetting consistency in earning the American Lung Association’s recognition as one of the most polluted areas in the country. The smoke we inhale each fire season is a downstream result of climate change caused partly by our overreliance on cars. Long-term exposure to smoke and vehicle pollution poses an increased risk of mortality, especially for lower-income communities.

Read more at: https://www.sacbee.com/opinion/editorials/article258464983.html#storylink=cpy

New Federal Leadership on Planning Emphasis Areas (PEAs)

January 5, 2022

This week, FTA and the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) issued updated Planning Emphasis Areas (PEAs). In the letter announcing the revised PEAs, FTA Administrator Nuria Fernandez and the FHWA Deputy Administrator Stephanie Pollack are asking FTA and FHWA field offices to work with their metropolitan planning organizations, state Departments of Transportation, transit agencies, and federal land management agencies to incorporate these PEAs into their Unified Planning Work Programs and State Planning and Research Work Programs.

Several of these emphasis areas focus on the Biden-Harris Administration’s goals of advancing equity and environmental justice in transportation planning, which will help achieve greenhouse gas reduction goals and increase resilience to extreme weather events resulting from climate change. These efforts will better support regional and local governments as they plan for future transportation needs in their communities. There is considerable flexibility in how metropolitan planning organizations and State DOTs can incorporate the PEAs into the transportation planning process. Recognizing the variability and timing of transportation planning processes, FTA and FHWA encourage these PEAs to be incorporated as programs are updated.

A new transportation sales tax? Come learn more Nov 4

The principal topic for ECOS’s Transportation, Air Quality and Climate Change Committee (TAQCC) meeting this Thursday, Nov. 4th will be will be an effort led by the Sacramento business community to put a transportation sales tax measure on the November 2022 ballot using a citizens initiative process. We understand that this measure would be very similar to Measure A+ prepared by the Sacramento Transportation Authority (STA) in 2020 but withdrawn before the election, and would require only a simple majority for passage. Roger Dickinson and Steve Cohn will provide us with details about this initiative.

Link to join this Zoom Meeting: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/85805612058
To phone in: 669 900 6833, Meeting ID: 858 0561 2058

Click here for the agenda.

In addition, Susan Herre (ECOS President-Elect) will present a proposed reorganization of ECOS committees, with the goal of making ECOS a more effective organization.

Image from https://www.publicdomainpictures.net/en/view-image.php?image=382425&picture=clouds-sky-blue-cumulus