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With the beginning of the New Year, the Legislature reconvenes today to tackle California’s projected budget deficit of nearly $13 billion (through June 2013), 2011 legislation that was rolled over to the second year of this two-year legislative session, as well as new bills that will be introduced this session.
For environment protection, this means important 2011 bills like the banning of plastic grocery bags and polystyrene take-out containers, as well as requirements to force oil and gas firms to publicly list chemicals pumped into the ground during a drilling process known as hydraulic fracturing or “fracking”, will get a second chance in 2012.
While balancing the state budget and the potential fiscal impact of new legislation, the Legislature will also face critical decisions whether to repeal, delay or reduce the $11.14 billion water bond currently slated for the November ballot; whether or not more state parks should close and if so, which ones; and whether or not to appropriate more funds for California’s proposed $100 billion high speed rail system.
Complicating matters further, 2012 will be the first election year with independently redrawn and highly competitive district lines, as well as a Top 2 Open Primary System that allows voters to vote for any candidate (regardless of party affiliation) in each race during the primary, with the top two vote-getters then qualifying for the General Election. With so much uncertainty, some fear this may prevent the Legislature from passing meaningful legislation this session. Democratic leadership assures Californians that this is not true. Assembly Speaker John A. Pérez recently stated, “What you’ve seen over the last year is an ability for the Governor and the Legislature to come together and make very tough decisions – and I think you’re going to see more of the same.” With so many critical issues facing our state, it is PCL’s hope that the Speaker is correct in his assessment; and that when tackling these pressing matters, the Legislature acts deliberately, thoughtfully and transparently.
In recent years, legislation and voter-approved bonds have changed the way California addresses transportation and land-use planning. In 2008, the Legislature passed SB 375, which focuses on reducing greenhouse gas emissions and vehicle miles travelled through the adoption of regional Sustainable Communities Strategies. That same year, voters approved nearly $10 billion in funding for High Speed Rail project, with billions more earmarked by the federal government. But how have these measures actually changed development practices in California to be more sustainable? Two panels at the PCL/PCLF Symposium will help answer this question, and focus on what we should do next:
SB 375: Where the Rubber Meets the Rail (CLE)
This panel includes information on the early adoption of the San Diego Sustainable Communities Strategy (SCS) and strategies for what must occur next to make the promise of integrated and sustainable planning a reality. Participants will examine current SCS efforts as case studies, gain knowledge of the tools needed to engage in the SCS process, and learn about new legislative efforts to promote good growth and integrated/transit friendly development.
- Mike McKeever, Sacramento Area Council of Governments (moderator)
- Laurel Impett, Shute, Mihaly and Weinberger LLP
- David Mogavero, Mogavero Notestine Associates
- Eliot Rose, UC Berkeley Center for Resource Efficient Communities
Boondoggle or Beacon? The Future of High Speed Rail in California
California’s High Speed Rail (HSR) system has long been discussed, and remains one of the most expensive and controversial infrastructure projects in California’s history. HSR proponents see a vital project that will change California’s transportation landscape, reducing the need for new and expanded highways, and resulting in fewer greenhouse gas emissions…all while putting Californians back to work. Opponents of the current plan have been critical of its routing, financing plan, skyrocketing price-tag, and the ridership and business plan assumptions that have been made in developing the proposal.
- Elizabeth Alexis, Californians Advocating Responsible Rail Design
- Denis Douté, SNCF America Inc.
- Dan Richard, California High-Speed Rail Authority Board Member
The Annual Environmental Legislative Symposium will take place on Saturday, January 28, 2012 at the Sacramento Convention Center. Early bird (discounted) registration is available through December 31. We’ve secured a room block at the Citizen Hotel; room reservations must be made by January 6, 2012 to receive the discounted rate.
