Bill would increase grant funding to local agencies and prioritize road maintenance in disadvantaged communities
(SACRAMENTO, CA) – Assemblymember Eduardo Garcia (D-Coachella) introduced in extraordinary session today AB 23x1, the Active Transportation Program & Disadvantaged Communities Investment Act, which doubles the funding made available for projects and programs that encourage Californian’s to walk or ride their bicycles to school and work by making streets safer. AB 23x1 would also invest more in road maintenance and repair in disadvantaged communities throughout the Golden State.
“Our disadvantaged communities continue to be disproportionately burdened by traffic congestion, poor air quality, obesity due to physical inactivity, and other negative impacts of our transportation system—and my bill seeks to remedy that,” said Assemblymember Garcia.
Garcia’s Active Transportation Program & Disadvantaged Communities Investment Act would invest $125 million annually from the State Highway Account to the Active Transportation Program for grants to local jurisdictions to improve safety, mobility, and neighborhood connectivity for people walking and bicycling, and prioritize road maintenance to disadvantaged communities. Assemblyman Garcia recently toured the region with Assemblyman Frazier (D-Oakley), Chair of the Assembly Transportation Committee, which lead to the introduction of AB23x1.
“This bill not only addresses and invests more grant funding for streets and roads improvements in our communities but more importantly combats the many years of underinvestment which is important to addressing our state’s climate change policy and public health and obesity in our neighborhoods,” said Garcia.
The Active Transportation Program (ATP) is a statewide grant program that encourages bicycling and walking, especially for children traveling to school and for residents of disadvantaged communities. Safe Routes to School (SRTS) grants are also awarded through the ATP.
AB 23x1 is being authored by Assemblymember Garcia, Assemblymember David Chiu (D-San Francisco) and Assemblymember Autumn Burke (D-Los Angeles) and already has garnered 10 co-sponsors that have signed on in support of the bill.
Assemblymember Eduardo Garcia (D-Coachella) serves as the Chairperson of the Assembly Committee on Jobs, Economic Development and the Economy. He represents the 56th district, which comprises the cities and communities of Blythe, Brawley, Bermuda Dunes, Calexico, Calipatria, Cathedral City, Coachella, Desert Hot Springs, El Centro, Holtville, Imperial, Indio, Mecca, Oasis, North Shore, Salton Sea, Thermal, Thousand Palms, and Westmorland
