News & Headlines 2010
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Register now for the FuturePorts conference, "Clearing The Air: Building Our Future Begins Now."
- Tuesday, June 22, 8 a.m. to 2 p.m., Doubletree Hotel San Pedro
The Southern California region depends on the Ports of Long Beach and Los Angeles as their economic engine, and the benefits of that activity can be felt in every job sector.
This conference will inform attendees on advancements being made at the Ports regarding reductions in emissions; the value of the Ports to the local and regional economy; and what the future growth at the Ports will be.
Register now! Visit the FuturePorts website to RSVP or contact Elizabeth Warren at ewarren@futureports.org or call 310.982.1323 for more information.
Agenda 2010: Attend the California’s Public Infrastructure and Financing Forum May 25
- California’s Public Infrastructure and Financing Forum
will be held Tuesday, May 25, 2010, from 12:30 p.m. to 4 p.m. at the California Science Center, 39th Street and Figueroa Street, in Los Angeles (90037)
Register now!
Join leading transportation, finance, and industry experts in a discussion about financing strategies for critical transportation and social infrastructure at the Public Infrastructure Financing Forum on May 25.
The forum’s agenda will include a discussion of how to best integrate P3s with California’s fiscal and funding policies. It will include an update on the pending Presidio Parkway (formerly Doyle Drive) P3 project and other projects in the emerging California pipeline of projects, with an emphasis on alternative financing strategies and delivery options for managed lanes, transit, and freight infrastructure. Perspectives from both government and the market will be presented. Online: www.publicinfrastructure.ca.gov.
Registration is free, however space is limited on a first come, first served basis. Lunch will provided and available upon check-in at noon to 12:30 p.m. Seating and lunch are only guaranteed for those who register.
Mobility21 is a proud sponsor of California’s Public Infrastructure and Financing Forum organized by California's Public Infrastructure Advisory Commission (PIAC).
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Mobility 21 advocates for transportation funding during annual advocacy trip
(April 21, 2010) Members of the Mobility 21 Board of Directors and Advisory Board were in Washington, D.C. March 10-12 for the annual Mobility 21 executive advocacy trip. The delegation met with lawmakers, key committee staff and U.S. Department of Transportation officials. Meetings focused on job creation, sensible regulatory relief and funding for positive train control safety technology and goods movement. Mobility 21 met with legislators including Sen. Barbara Boxer and Representatives Lucille Roybal-Allard, Bill Schuster, John Mica, and Adam Schiff. Above, Mobility 21 Board Members Art Leahy, Metro, and Gary Toebben, Los Angeles Area Chamber of Commerce, greet Sen. John McCain several days later at the Southern California on the Hill - ACCESS Washington, D.C. trip. View the Mobility 21 goods movement brochure, priorities for the Federal Surface Transportation Authorization bill and advocacy agenda issue one-sheets. (Link to PDFs)
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California Transportation Commission Green Lights 91 Express Lanes Freeway Project
(April 21, 2010) The California Transportation Commission unanimously approved on April 7, an application by the Riverside County Transportation Commission (RCTC) for California's design-build pilot program. RCTC can now move forward with a $1.3 billion plan to widen State Route 91 through Corona with the addition of new freeway lanes, toll/express lanes, expanded freeway-to-freeway connectors and better access to and from the freeway at congested locations. The approval of the project, along with two other toll projects in L.A. County marks the first time that California has approved design-build projects since the approval of new legislation last year. Design-build authorization was strongly supported by Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger as part of a budget deal with the State Legislature last year. Read more: RCTC press release.
Don't miss the SCAG Regional Conference and General Assembly, May 5 – 7, in Palm Springs
Southern California Association of Governments (SCAG) is inviting Mobility 21 transportation advocates to the annual General Assembly Retreat May 5 – 7, 2010, at the La Quinta Resort & Club in Palm Springs. The General Assembly is SCAG’s annual meeting of elected officials, government agencies and their representatives from throughout Southern California, and provides a unique opportunity for attendees to meet and conduct business on important regional issues, while networking with leaders in the region.
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| In town for a full-day town hall meeting, Feb. 19, on federal transporation funding, U.S. Secretary of Transportation Ray LaHood and Senator Barabara Boxer are joined by Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa in a panel discussion seeking input for the next federal transportation bill. Work on a new bill has begun in Congress. (Photo by Gary Leonard) |
Update> Senate Votes to Extend Legislation Authorizing Surface Transportation Programs
(March 2, 2010) The Senate voted Tuesday to pass a $10 billion measure to extend benefits for unemployed workers and fund road projects through a short-term extension of the Highway Trust Fund, which pays for transportation projects nationwide. The 78-19 vote on the temporary extension known as H.R. 4691 provides for continued extension or reauthorization of certain surface transportation programs through the earlier of March 28, 2010, or enactment into law of an Act to extend or reauthorize such programs.
Effort to Secure Extension of Surface Transportation Program Fails in Congress
(Feb. 26, 2010) Congressional efforts to secure an extension of legislation authorizing America’s surface transportation programs failed this week, which will lead to the inability of the Highway Trust Fund to disburse federal funds starting next Monday. According to transportation experts, the failure to extend the Safe, Accountable, Flexible, Efficient Transportation Equity Act: A Legacy for Users (SAFETEA-LU) this week means that a majority Federal Transit Administration (FTA) programs, Federal Highway Administration programs and other programs funded by the Federal Highway Trust Fund will lapse beginning next Monday. It is widely expected that Congress will act next week to adopt legislation to extend SAFETEA-LU through December 31, 2010.
Obama Administration Proposes Major Public Transportation Policy Shift to Highlight Livability
- Changes Include Economic Development and Environmental Benefits
(Jan. 13, 2010) In a dramatic change from existing policy, U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood today proposed that new funding guidelines for major transit projects be based on livability issues such as economic development opportunities and environmental benefits, in addition to cost and time saved, which are currently the primary criteria.
MORE> FTA press release
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Governor’s Proposed State Budget Jeopardizes Transit and Transportation Funding
(Jan. 19, 2010) Mobility 21 is extremely concerned that Governor Schwarzenegger’s proposed budget for FY 2010-11 includes a major restructuring of transportation funding that could severely hamper economic recovery in Southern California. Essentially zeroing out transit funding and curtailing the revenues available to highways and local streets and roads, the governor’s budget could also prevent southern California from being competitive in future federal funding and is coupled with lower than expected local sales tax revenues resulting from the recession. Any way you slice it, this is bad news for transportation. MORE
Southern Californina Transportation Forum will be held Feb. 5 at Chapman University in Orange. The Forum is a summit for transit agency officials and transit-focused advocates and leaders, offering opportunities to share views and consider potential solutions to meet the current transit funding challenge and preserve the future of transit in Southern California. You'll get an overview of the state transit budget crisis from CTA Executive Director Josh Shaw, OCTA CEO Will Kempton, and Teamsters Local 952 EO Patrick Kelly and hear the latest on California High-Speed Rail. Plus insights, discussions on funding from state leadership moderated by Orange County Business Council CEO Lucy Dunn. Speakers include LA Metro CEO Art Leahy, SCAG CEO Hasan Ikhrata, state and federal elected officials and other stakeholders. Includes a reception 5 to 7 p.m. hosted by Orange County Business Council. MORE
