Bills Focus on Pedestrian, Bicycle, and Public Transportation Infrastructure
SACRAMENTO – Today, Assemblymember Eduardo Garcia (D-Coachella), Richard Bloom (D-Santa Monica), and Chris Holden (D-Pasadena) unveiled the transportation and equity package; a proposal aimed at shifting California’s transportation investments to provide increased access to disadvantaged communities. The four proposed bills work together to provide better transportation choices so all Californians can easily walk, bicycle, and take public transit safely.
AB 2332, by Assemblymember Garcia, would prioritize disadvantaged communities when Caltrans determines which roads to maintain and improve. For example, AB 2332 will focus on funding for projects that will hire and/or train individuals with barriers to employment.
“California’s transportation system should truly serve all Californians,” said Assemblymember Eduardo Garcia. “For years, too many communities have been overlooked; suffering a lack of basic transportation infrastructure.”
Often those affected are children, working families, seniors, and students. Rural and urban communities are often cut off from schools, jobs, and services by freeways or rail lines. These disinvested communities also tend to be the first to see cuts in transit service during tough economic times.
Joining the legislators in support of the bills include the California Pan-Ethnic Health Network, Leadership Counsel for Justice and Accountability, PolicyLink, American Heart Association, California Bicycle Coalition, California Walks, Climate Plan, Safe Routes to School National Partnership, Move LA, CALPIRG, Community College League of California, Cultiva La Salud, and Breathe California.
AB 2332 (Garcia) will be heard on Monday, April 18th.
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Assemblymember Eduardo Garcia (D-Coachella) serves as the 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.
