We're rallying business leaders to engage on two BizFed-opposed bills that are headed for floor votes. AB 6 and AB 7 (Friedman) tie transportation funding to the state's aggressive climate goals. The two bills impede necessary infrastructure improvements, add layers of bureaucracy to transportation funding, limit the flexibility of local transportation planning agencies, and jeopardize local sales tax funds.
The top-down mandates established by AB 6 and AB 7 will slow local efforts to ensure roads, bridges, and overpasses are safe and updated.
- AB 6 forces local planning bodies to get approval from the California Air Resources Board (CARB) for technical methodology, increasing delays.
- AB 7 mirrors regulations already in place. Governor Gavin Newsom vetoed AB 2438, a previous iteration of this bill, noting it was "unnecessary. Work is well under way at the California State Transportation Agency, the California Department of Transportation, and the California Transportation Commission to align funding programs in the bill."
Here's a shortlist of the essential infrastructure projects throughout Southern California that would be jeopardized by the passage of AB 6 and AB 7.
- Projects in Orange County on SR 55 to reduce traffic in Anaheim, Orange, Santa Ana and Tustin, along with projects on SR 91 and the I-5 corridor.
- Projects in the Inland Empire, including 14.5 miles express lanes on the I-15 and a local roadway to connect Banning to Cabazon.
- Efforts in Ventura County to alleviate traffic and create an interconnected and multimodal Hwy 101.
- Efforts in San Diego County to update arterial and interchange connections, particularly along the 805 and the I-5 freeways.
We're urging all BizFed members to step up and sign on to a business coalition letter. Please submit logos to Chris Wilson ASAP.
Onward!
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Tracy Hernandez
BizFed Founding CEO
