Damien Newton
Recent Posts
Governor’s Budget Earns High Marks, But Active Transportation Shutout from Cap and Trade Funds
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Yesterday, Governor Jerry Brown officially unveiled his budget after days of speculation and leaked reports to newspapers. One of the highlights of the budget is how Brown proposes to spend the “Cap and Trade”* funds. Last year, the state borrowed against these funds to fill a gap in the general operating budget. This year, with […]
Consensus Builds for Complete Streets as Metro Plans County-Wide Policy
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This video is pretty impressive in that it features over half of the Metro Board basically repeating Complete Streets talking points. You can find the rest of the materials from the meeting here. At their Board Meeting this June, Metro will pass a Complete Streets policy in accordance with state law. While the first official […]
Is California Ready to Raise Its Vehicle License Fee?
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Every state has its “third rail” that politicians are afraid to touch. When I began my advocacy career in New Jersey in 2004, politicians were deathly afraid of raising any tax after Democratic Governor Jim Florio was ousted in the solidly blue state because of tax increases he pushed through. Florio had been defeated over […]
Bike Lane Plan in Beverly Hills Takes a Strange Turn
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Update: 929 pm – When the consultants called the 16′ travel lanes “shared lanes,” I assumed they meant that the lanes would have Sharrows. I was wrong. They’re just proposing two 16′ mixed use lanes, which under state law cyclists have to stay to the right in. Bicyclists, both those that live in Beverly Hills […]
Caltrans Bicycle Advisory Committee Meeting
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Agenda TBD
In Case It Wasn’t Clear, Advocacy Can Get Bicycle and Pedestrian Funding in #RoadBond
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While Steve Lopez’s ongoing coverage of the sad state of Los Angeles’ sidewalks isn’t exactly breaking ground for regular Streetsblog readers; when an L.A. Times columnist starts asking questions there are usually some interesting answers. Today’s column, featuring Deborah Murphy, poor sidewalks and Councilmember Joe Buscaino was no different. Responding to a direct question about […]
The Week in Livable Streets Events
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We’re back! And just in time, as there is all sorts of big stuff happening this week. Monday – There’s a rally down at Cal State Long Beach calling on Governor Brown and state regulators to out-and-out ban fracking. details on the event and how to sign a petition for the 99% of us that […]
Visit the San Bernardino History and Railroad Museum with So.CA.TA
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Saturday January 11th we will undertake a trip that will have several purposes: explore bus and rail services for San Bernardino and environs, visit the San Bernardino History and Railroad Museum (http://www.sbdepotmuseum.com/) at the historic Santa Fe Depot plus have lunch at Molly’s, a 50s style café (http://www.mollyscafe66.com/). The two departure options from Union Station on […]
Los Angeles County Complete Streets Policy Planning Meeting – SOLD OUT
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During 2013 we convened four distinct and different meetings with various partners throughout Los Angeles County: Community Based Organizations, Public Agency staffers, Elected officials and business leaders. Please save the date for our next Los Angeles Collaborative Convening on January 8, 2014 at 8am where we will be working to bring all our partners together […]
Santa Monica: MANgo Meeting
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The City and Consultant Team will host this last Community Meeting to go over the concepts and plans for the Michigan Ave Neighborhood Greenway: MANGo! Whether you have participated in the past or this is your first view of the project – we urge you join us to provide needed support for the project with […]
Tell Gov. Brown and DOGGR to Ban Fracking
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In September 2013, Governor Brown signed Senate Bill 4, a bill that requires the Department of Conservation, Division of Oil, Gas, and Geothermal Resources (DOGGR) to issue regulations governing fracking. DOGGR is holding hearings on the proposed regulations around the state. Written comments will be accepted until January 16, 2014. We are holding a rally […]
Provide Input on the Santa Monica Blvd. Reconstruction Project
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Via LACBC: Do you bike, walk, or drive through the Beverly Hills portion of Santa Monica Blvd.? If so, then you know how fast cars drive and how difficult it is to walk and bike along this portion. Help make Santa Monica Blvd. safer and more people-oriented by: coming to an upcoming meeting filling out […]