[{"_1":2,"_124":-5,"_125":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,76,88,100,112],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},"mediaId",6622858,"mediaKeyId","2781225-84f65e65a1d55c26a6437325fbbff9a8","parentId",2781225,"title","Advocates urge restoration of active‑transportation funding and urgent support for transit amid fiscal shortfalls","audioSeconds",155,"startMs",7227000,"endMs",7382000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2781225-84f65e65a1d55c26a6437325fbbff9a8&start=7227&end=7382","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2781225-84f65e65a1d55c26a6437325fbbff9a8/thumbnail_7227000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6622858/California/Advocates-urge-restoration-of-activetransportation-funding-and-urgent-support-for-transit-amid-fiscal-shortfalls","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6622858-5920382144781b95438f97f1992ed58b/orig.mp4?Expires=1770495594&Signature=n1wz2GsHj-iqm5Xe46ctvcwFwLPIxibIcPCClGU0E8VWWO0I~tEGVkYtUZ1epz7ZAIOr007Mh6WHQyYpzNtiXidH8i2KpKsCgDiWC3BXvEHz9P~cQyk9tnp2iMYCrhJlaVoQtycXYOt-fpZLyrYteEarWm-oNqOaYuA00hRUOiWwRn1s8GYZfMiw~52n8m~x01s522dixUcQ~x72w1iN9f4ZKi~4KGvn8TjVQkWCx0Phdx7oXGxdgCdBlhDAXn2xDYAYkDoUnhXR~JZ6LEiJjbzAqhupbeViR8r4t4A~Jh2LDfl-rmVm~ynHokPuh6fdAO4K-GWem1LjQJ0L6HaLfA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","California State Assembly","date","2025-03-26T00:00:00Z","article","During public comment at the informational hearing, multiple advocates urged the legislature to restore funding cut from the Active Transportation Program (ATP) and to address looming transit operating shortfalls.

Jeanne Wardwaller representing Greenlining and a coalition of advocacy groups said the ATP cut of $400,000,000 last year left the program unable to fund hundreds of applications: \"Over 90% of the projects have benefited disadvantaged communities,\" Wardwaller said, and the California Transportation Commission could only fund about a dozen projects out of more than 300 applications after the cut.

Speakers from SPUR and Streets for All emphasized that transit agencies face “existential shortfalls,” with large Bay Area operators reporting operating deficits on the order of 25 to 40 percent of budgets. Laura Tolkoff of SPUR asked the committee to support legislative budget proposals from Senator Areguin and Assemblymember Gonzalez and to explore longer‑term revenue stabilization for transit.

Kendra Ramsey of the California Bicycle Coalition and Sophie Everco of the Coalition for Clean Air reiterated calls to restore ATP funding and suggested the state explore using the State Highway Account or flexible federal funds to backfill ATP rather than tapping GGRF. Michael Pimentel of the California Transit Association underscored the same urgency for transit operators recovering from pandemic revenue declines.

Several public comments connected litter‑abatement funding and workforce programs (such as Back to Work) to the Clean California discussion. Rediff and Back to Work representatives said scaling back crews produces immediate job loss and urged preservation of prior workforce investments.

The committee did not vote on funding requests; members acknowledged the severity of transit and ATP shortfalls and signaled an interest in finding fiscally feasible approaches while balancing other budget pressures.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Assembly Budget Subcommittee No. 4 on Climate Crisis, Resources, Energy, and Transportation (1)","oneSentenceSummary","Multiple public commenters and committee members urged the legislature to backfill a $400 million cut to the Active Transportation Program and to identify resources for public transit agencies facing deep operating deficits.","taxTitle","California State Assembly, House, Legislative, California","taxId",17099,"location","California","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":77,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":78,"_41":79,"_43":80,"_45":81,"_47":82,"_49":83,"_51":84,"_53":85,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":86,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":87,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6622863,"LAO flags $7 billion gap for high‑speed rail; authority promises summer update",1403,5437000,6840000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2781225-84f65e65a1d55c26a6437325fbbff9a8&start=5437&end=6840","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2781225-84f65e65a1d55c26a6437325fbbff9a8/thumbnail_5437000.jpg","/articles/6622863/California/LAO-flags-7-billion-gap-for-highspeed-rail-authority-promises-summer-update","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6622863-40055161d03d017d3c214943f6966733/orig.mp4?Expires=1770495594&Signature=h8TjlGARnaLHB3ozpPbEOHMA9vjw9x5ckbAd6sSw5AUQCK4kwxmnwkwHMt5Qle6P1PW~P-VoE9eoqGaNM9ohvynuAeZTXWXocpVX-BcGk0L~zt4oETwwjwLmgcMxKSYp4u52RpQ4JITUEUZw5hw0mRMD3wYnpLnBiiRuJyfKDYqu2JNctPEJGN4sFCpB0bx9rwknsGTPZhc~MR1Fv41xpHtohvqQ5AYPKD7fWw~~VweBLANAMohEyLzplMdXcUc1LCkWCiUNY5XUaZdZxIMjSMZtqkxB1Phfxu0IJf5vpaYjT69fT14Ji4poNbqIMzx3~LR79DX6GFeKXN30tn-3Jg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Helen Kerstien of the Legislative Analyst’s Office summarized the High‑Speed Rail Authority’s project update report and told members the update did not meet all statutory content requirements. The LAO said the authority will provide a supplemental document this summer with additional information on scope, schedule, ridership, and a new financial strategy.

The LAO reiterated that the most recent project cost estimate for the Merced‑to‑Bakersfield segment and associated obligations stood at $35,300,000,000 and that projected funding, as reported, totaled about $28,300,000,000 — leaving a roughly $7,000,000,000 gap. The LAO noted the authority is assuming it will retain awarded federal grants and that it assumes annual GGRF receipts of $1,000,000,000 through 2030 in its planning. The LAO highlighted that the U.S. Department of Transportation is conducting federal review and that some unobligated federal funds could be at risk.

Committee members pressed for timing and detail. Assemblymember Petrie‑Norris, among others, asked whether the LAO’s June 2026 timeline for securing the majority of funding was realistic; the LAO told the committee the Office of Inspector General had noted much funding likely needs to be secured by June 2026 to avoid schedule impacts. Members said they need the federal review and the authority’s supplemental analysis in hand before committing new state resources.

High‑Speed Rail Authority officials, including Mark Tolleson (chief of staff) and Jamie Matalka (chief financial officer), (joined later by the inspector general in the room), said the authority’s new CEO is conducting a bottoms‑up review. Matalka said roughly $13,800,000,000 has been spent to date on the program, approximately 23% of that from federal funding (about $2.5B from earlier ARRA grants). The authority said it had pursued about $8,000,000,000 in federal funding in the prior plan and had secured approximately $3.4 billion in new grants since then; it is now conducting a detailed reassessment of capital costs and sequencing.

Authority leaders said they plan to provide a fuller report in the summer with updated scope, schedule, and cost estimates; the authority estimated that work could be available by August. Members urged the authority to provide information as early as possible so the legislature can consider funding timing — especially given concurrent discussions about cap‑and‑trade reauthorization and GGRF policy that could affect funding availability.

No formal decisions were made at the hearing; members signaled they will withhold commitments until they receive the supplemental analysis and federal review results.","The Legislative Analyst’s Office told the committee there is roughly a $7 billion funding gap to complete the Merced‑to‑Bakersfield initial segment and urged the legislature to seek updated cost, schedule, and funding strategy details; the High‑Speed Rail Authority committed to deliver more complete analysis in summer.",{"_33":89,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":90,"_41":91,"_43":92,"_45":93,"_47":94,"_49":95,"_51":96,"_53":97,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":98,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":99,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6622867,"Tahoe Regional Planning Agency asks state to adopt federal population figure for formula funds",293,5143000,5436000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2781225-84f65e65a1d55c26a6437325fbbff9a8&start=5143&end=5436","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2781225-84f65e65a1d55c26a6437325fbbff9a8/thumbnail_5143000.jpg","/articles/6622867/California/Tahoe-Regional-Planning-Agency-asks-state-to-adopt-federal-population-figure-for-formula-funds","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6622867-3810bbd40eba7342efaedd4eb2fce679/orig.mp4?Expires=1770495594&Signature=NXmCns0gBTbB4g4SMNSeIPsDjPqd~0R3utHcpfzOpQ4gep6DbJ2l2XjE4ArEhwu5FmeyMCxOxUIGXxnEjDt8akXG0QKNYpqnsdkIg8thmRtywEzHWmPJB4mNtlhe4huSZHcjJWA2iMC9xoAq1z8sqEYQx4sVmhqJzPWWWGJtuK2SvdMMG4ElpwHv0q~R-68MAf2I1EE1Xlbm7T06a33gz~LvO2KY5VUAk3q~-AdrGGttxIvQHkuO9CDMCMe9XwA9rvETSfscVfk-DcLEB1YALk~XHZN7CT5HvgpQ-thm3rva19x5Da9eiIISbUnEhOd-G7eCVqu7CDCQwOl7n-bghA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Devin Middlebrook, government affairs manager for the Tahoe Regional Planning Agency (TRPA), asked the committee to administratively recognize Lake Tahoe’s federally designated population figure for state formula‑based funding programs.

Middlebrook said that federal statute has reflected a basin population that accounts for visitors as well as permanent residents and that California’s formulas should be aligned with that federal figure. Under federal recognition, TRPA said the basin’s population figure would increase from 40,000 to 145,000; the agency clarified the correct total is 145,000 (a staff report sentence mistakenly listed 165,000). TRPA spokesman Nick Haven joined Middlebrook at the table.

Middlebrook emphasized that TRPA is not asking the state for new money or to change formulas but to recognize the federally designated population figure so California’s share of a $20,000,000 annual transportation commitment (TRPA said California’s share is $4,500,000 per year) is calculated consistently with federal practice. He said the change would help secure a large portion of funding the basin needs and would leverage federal, Nevada, local, and private investments.

In response to committee concerns about impacts on other regions, TRPA expressed willingness to phase in the population increase over multiple years so any downstream impacts on other agencies and programs would be spread across funding programs and time.

Assemblymember Bennett said he was generally supportive of aligning state and federal population accounting and praised TRPA’s willingness to phase implementation to moderate impacts on other agencies. No formal action was taken during the informational hearing.","The Tahoe Regional Planning Agency requested that California align state formula funding with the federally designated population figure for the Lake Tahoe basin, raising the basin's population figure in state calculations from 40,000 to 145,000 via phased implementation to reduce impacts on other regions.",{"_33":101,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":102,"_41":103,"_43":104,"_45":105,"_47":106,"_49":107,"_51":108,"_53":109,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":110,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":111,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6622872,"Caltrans seeks $25 million to expand Clean California grants; analysts question using general fund",702,4285000,4987000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2781225-84f65e65a1d55c26a6437325fbbff9a8&start=4285&end=4987","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2781225-84f65e65a1d55c26a6437325fbbff9a8/thumbnail_4285000.jpg","/articles/6622872/California/Caltrans-seeks-25-million-to-expand-Clean-California-grants-analysts-question-using-general-fund","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6622872-13dc2e57933f0ee2ecbeca860d635bb6/orig.mp4?Expires=1770495594&Signature=TDTQJT6-P45iCMn2aGdOsxVmmVXEOJYdq5~zkAA7GNPziNLjxMQeBEY2V~2P5DByXPCFle1I9QVSR1DaaKmznZlKYLSCG1hBeC9l8NQuYB7sYGRoQ3r8hs0nn1TiYovzpeOE~aMRNWzEbwp8uf9XxRc1nXmOEFLgbIofI40aweODaHl3jc-4t8p-j6pqwLKYGdjERVXyFzzT3cqwx-QAwry6x8rcI8RHD7KpZokDql0grNOcKjEYXmLZ8opwYFGkbQ2s3hvg1wM~NNIpqR-ea~-r3nLVyRutGifUVweANFjEsK9En-SBlroyypqBNEXeP-0ZweQui9QSlnVLtzbXew__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Steven Keck of the California Department of Transportation told the assembly that Caltrans seeks a one‑year $25,000,000 increase in general fund operating expense to establish the Clean California Community Cleanup and Employment Pathway Grant Program.

Keck said the program would build on the prior Clean California initiative by awarding competitive grants to local entities for litter and graffiti cleanup; a central goal is to tie cleanup work to workforce development for vulnerable populations. “The grant program will leverage local funding to support litter and graffiti abatement, foster community engagement, and create career pathways for individuals overcoming employment barriers,” Keck said.

The Legislative Analyst’s Office recommended rejecting the proposal, citing limited general fund availability and arguing that local litter abatement is not a core state responsibility. Frank Jimenez of the LAO said one‑time general fund spending is unlikely to address persistent local litter problems and that the legislature should prioritize state core responsibilities such as maintaining state highways and infrastructure.

Department of Finance and administration witnesses defended the proposal’s ability to leverage local matches and extend the earlier Clean California benefits. Benjamin Pollack of Finance said the program could maximize value through local matching and foster community pride.

Committee members noted competing priorities. Assemblymember Connolly asked why the state should add a new general fund program when litter cleanup of state rights‑of‑way is sometimes a Caltrans responsibility; Caltrans staff said on‑ and off‑ramps are generally Caltrans’ responsibility and that the proposed grants primarily target local streets and public spaces, leveraging relationships formed under the prior Clean California work. Keck noted Caltrans has increased its own highway litter cleanup activity, including twice‑a‑month “litter stand downs” for maintenance crews.

Several public commenters spoke in support of programs that pair litter abatement with workforce development. A representative for Rediff and the Butte County “Back to Work” program said the state’s prior investments supported crews that employ people facing employment barriers and urged the committee to direct funding to preserve those crews rather than create a new untested grant vehicle. Other advocates — including cycling, walkability, and public‑health organizations — used the public comment period to press the legislature for additional funding to related active‑transportation programs and transit stabilization (see related article).

No vote was taken; members signaled concern about budget tradeoffs and asked Caltrans and the administration to coordinate with the subcommittee on alternatives and implementation guidance.","Caltrans proposed a $25 million general fund increase to establish a competitive Clean California Community Cleanup and Employment Pathway Grant Program; the Legislative Analyst’s Office recommended rejecting the proposal and several legislators raised concerns about new general fund spending amid competing priorities.",{"_33":113,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":114,"_41":115,"_43":116,"_45":117,"_47":118,"_49":119,"_51":120,"_53":121,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":122,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":123,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6622877,"Assembly panel examines patchwork plan to cover motor vehicle account shortfall",1715,2695000,4410000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2781225-84f65e65a1d55c26a6437325fbbff9a8&start=2695&end=4410","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2781225-84f65e65a1d55c26a6437325fbbff9a8/thumbnail_2695000.jpg","/articles/6622877/California/Assembly-panel-examines-patchwork-plan-to-cover-motor-vehicle-account-shortfall","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6622877-498457858aff86fc74623e397f2fd7e2/orig.mp4?Expires=1770495594&Signature=hg-8Y3RlgpaI4-S~i1hMEVwsyupzM7EWW5KzRtPHwPpMG5m1yiAsr5Khn8MeD~VzjsmmgvZue~C2t3BEG9ExGAqlA4~KejnsZHIwqQu9gz5vZHrItJ8Ps~eWHPQqzAsnB6BgoLt9gHTLNsgP49pZWKx33plaRgWwEIjfjI28-Stutmm-xdyl0hpGHGtMN9FPqqwaqCQ9s2fOGRoEcjTDbsiiW3eMUGONxE6mayBg1Vmcoy63lmw2iu5OhAWvV9tLPUwpCapX-EF66tGv~1X3lOlFXb4rvEpeOAOC2fQTZGyx1zCjY9P159oCD3u1oURJyEp~9X9HIRHfmETd1VUaUQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Assemblymember Steve Bennett, chairing a California State Assembly informational hearing on transportation funding, opened the meeting by placing one item at the center of the day’s discussion: the motor vehicle account (MVA) shortfall and the administration’s proposal for a one‑time transfer.

The Legislative Analyst’s Office told the committee the administration’s one‑time solution is “not unreasonable but it does have trade offs associated.” Rachel Ehlers of the LAO said the proposal relies in part on shifting funds that have been used for clean energy (including Proposition 4/GGRF‑related transfers) and warned that the Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund’s receipts have been tracking below prior projections. “Fundamentally this represents a one time solution to an ongoing problem,” Ehlers said, adding that expenditures are growing faster than revenues and that “eventually this is going to keep coming back before you.”

The administration’s presenter outlined the current fiscal picture for the account, saying total revenue for 2025–26 is expected at about $5,000,000,000 and expenditures around $5,200,000,000. The presentation attributed the principal revenue sources to a $71 vehicle registration fee and a $32 California Highway Patrol fee and noted CHP and DMV expenditures of about $3,200,000,000 and $1,400,000,000 respectively. To close part of the shortfall the budget proposes a one‑time $166,000,000 transfer in 2025–26 from the Air Pollution Control Fund and the Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund to offset costs linked to the California Air Resources Board’s mobile source program.

Committee members repeatedly pushed back on the idea of using GGRF or Proposition 4 bond‑related funds to backfill the MVA. Assemblymember Conley and others framed the issue as systemic and longstanding: the LAO told the committee it has published on the account’s structural imbalance almost annually for the past 20 years. Bennett and several colleagues emphasized that the central drivers are not temporary and that a recurring revenue source should match recurring expenditures.

Members asked for specificity about the largest cost drivers. The administration said statutory employee compensation increases are the largest contributor to expenditure growth and estimated roughly 70% of recent growth is attributable to compensation. Other drivers raised in the hearing included Real ID implementation and DMV modernization work. The administration told the committee that from 2016–17 to 2024–25 roughly $591,500,000 funded Real ID implementation — of which $300,000,000 was general fund and the remainder was from the MVA — and that DMV has not received federal funds specifically for Real ID workload.

When asked whether the administration had used GGRF, Prop 4, or Air Pollution Control funds before to balance the MVA, staff answered that they were not aware of prior uses and that the proposal would set new precedents. Multiple members said that fact underscores the seriousness of the shortfall.

The LAO and members urged development of an ongoing solution rather than repeated one‑time patches. The administration said it is “evaluating different solutions” and committed to share a long‑term plan once it is finalized. Members pressed the administration for data and for options on both revenue and expenditure sides; several cautioned that ruling out revenue options entirely would limit possible durable fixes.

The committee did not take votes during this informational hearing; members requested follow‑up data and said they expect more detailed proposals in the coming months.","Assemblymembers and analysts urged caution about a proposed one-time transfer and warned the motor vehicle account has a long-running structural shortfall that will recur without ongoing revenue or expenditure changes.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Advocates urge restoration of active‑transportation funding and urgent support for transit amid fiscal shortfalls

LAO flags $7 billion gap for high‑speed rail; authority promises summer update

Tahoe Regional Planning Agency asks state to adopt federal population figure for formula funds

Caltrans seeks $25 million to expand Clean California grants; analysts question using general fund

Assembly panel examines patchwork plan to cover motor vehicle account shortfall