Long-Term Funding for Mass Transit
Issue: Ensuring a Sustainable Future
Target Level of Office: State
Policy Origin: California Department of Transportation Division of Local Assistance
Poilcy/Bill Number: Local Assistance Program
Link: www.YEONetwork.org/2013policy/?i=208
Summary Narrative of the Policy: The purpose of this program is to provide local project
sponsors with a complete description of the federal and state programs available for financing
local public transportation-related facilities.
Relevant Talking Points & Important Information:
• With the 1997 State enactment of Senate Bill 45, the enactment of the 1998 federal
Transportation Equity Act for the 21st Century, superseded by the Safe, Accountable,
Flexible, Efficient Transportation Equity Act, new programs and increased funding levels
are available for local transportation projects.
• California’s model of public-transit funding was born out of legislative action from the
state and federal levels which: transfers transportation decision-making responsibility
to those who are closest and best suited to address the problem; eliminates artificial
constraints and barriers to programming; places state highways, local roads, and transit
projects on equal footing for access to support costs; and provides incentives for regional
accountability for the timely use of funds amongst other things.
• Under this program, the role of local communities in the design of transportation
improvement programs and selection of projects has continued to expand. Cities
and counties are able to bring to the table cost-effective, environmentally conscious
transportation projects that best suit the needs of their residents and neighbors, while
the state ensures that all project plans consider metrics for air, water, congestion, and
environmental concerns.
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State Level
Policy
2014 Book