By Autumn Bernstein, Stuart Cohen, and Eliot Rose.

Many SB 375 watchers have opined that the law’s success will require a “marathon, not a sprint” since the inertia of existing transportation and land use plans is so powerful. But as others have pointed out, the challenges faced by our communities and our planet are so great we simply cannot wait that long.

By Gloria Ohland, Move LA. 

Last week, the Southern California Association of Governments (SCAG) unveiled the preferred scenario for the 2012 Regional Transportation Plan/Sustainable Communities Strategy — a $450 billion plan for population and job growth and transportation projects in the six-county region through 2035.

At yesterday’s ARB meeting on the San Diego SCS, there was a lot of talk and very little action.  The biggest surprise was the full-court press of MPO directors that lined up to show support for San Diego’s plan. It almost makes you think they were worried.

It’s that time of year when California’s government gets even murkier than usual.  With the end of legislative session fast approaching, the season of wheeling and dealing is upon us.  CEQA, transportation funding and redevelopment are all on the smoky, backroom table.  It’s also the time when legitimate bills that have patiently made their way through the full session either sink or swim.  How will our new Governor play in this environment, and which bills will he sign?  Now’s the time to find out.

Here’s a rundown of some bills to watch –