Signed into law by Governor Jerry Brown in April 2017, Senate Bill 1, the Road Repair and Accountability Act, provides $5.4 billion dollars annually to fund improvements to the state's transportation systems.
SB 1 is the first state gas tax increase in over twenty years. With its fix-it-first directive, SB 1 directs more money to fixing our existing roads and bridges than it does to road and highway expansion.
In the graph at left, the multi-colored slices of the pie represent SB 1's investment in capital, and the the dark blue slices of the pie represent SB 1's investment in repair and maintenance -- the majority of SB 1.
Find more information on SB 1 here.
SB 1 is a step in the right direction for California. If implemented correctly, SB 1 could be a tool to help California achieve its climate goals and provide real benefits to low-income and disadvantaged communities. With $5.4 billion dollars a year, SB 1 has the potential to promote sustainable, equitable development, increase multi-modal transportation options, and advance goals around environmental justice.
Through SB 375, ClimatePlan has worked at the forefront of connecting land use and transportation planning to fighting climate change.
Now SB 1 provides the financial resources -- and the opportunity -- to invest in transportation that helps create healthy, sustainable, equitable communities throughout California.
Ten Guiding Principles for SB 1
SB 1 will shape our transportation system for decades to come. To that end, SB 1 investments should be consistent with current state policies and goals related to social equity, climate, health, the economy, and the conservation of natural and working lands.
ClimatePlan signed onto Ten Guiding Principles to ensure that SB 1 achieves its full potential to advance sustainable, equitable communities for all Californians:
1. Funding the "highest needs" should be based on social equity.
2. The California Transportation Commission (CTC) should undertake inclusive outreach and engagement with community groups to solicit input for guidelines’ development across all programs.
3. Reduce air pollution, climate change impacts, and incorporate climate resilience, especially for the most vulnerable communities.
4. Projects should promote healthy communities and improve health outcomes, and seek to avoid worsening health impacts, especially in disadvantaged communities that have faced significant and persistent health inequities due to historical marginalization.
5. Expand access to workforce training and jobs for individuals with barriers to employment.
6. Develop strong performance measures tied to state goals.
7. Support mode shift to healthier and cleaner transportation options across all programs.
8. Complete Streets should be a requirement of all projects.
9. Projects should avoid impacts to natural and working lands and enhance regional sustainability.
10. Planning should advance housing affordability, and both planning and projects should seek to mitigate displacement.
You can see the full letter here.
There are a number of new programs within SB 1 that need our input if we want to ensure these funds advance sustainable, equitable communities. Visit the CTC’s website to see the full list of programs or contact ClimatePlan to see how you can get involved.