Antonio Villaraigosa
Streetsblog LA
The Mica Bill: Good for 30/10, Bad for Everyone Else. How Will Boxer Respond?
Much has been made of the proposal to reauthorize the Federal Transportation Trust Fund that was submitted by Republican Congressman John Mica last week. The Mica Bill has been criticized by Democrats who feel left out of the proposal, advocates for green transportation options who bristle at the proposed elimination of the bicycle and pedestrian programs and the construction industry shocked by dramatic cuts to an industry that is already seeing higher-than-average unemployment in an era where the unemployment rate is beyond average.
July 12, 2011
Meet the New Metro Board Chair, Same As the Old Metro Board Chair
Three years ago, Antonio Villaraigosa took over as Chair of the Metro Board of Directors and used the influence of the Chair to guide the legislation that would lead to the creation of Measure R. The Mayor of Los Angeles chairs the Metro Board once every three years, and Villaraigosa will hold the seat from July 1 until June 30, 2012. When you consider that the Mayor just took over the presidency of the Conference of Mayors, you can see he certainly has his hands full these days.
June 24, 2011
America Fast Forward Moves Closer to Becoming Reality
Yesterday, The Senate Environment and Public Works Committee released an outline of some its core principles for a federal transportation reauthorization bill. One of the main planks of their proposed program would be expanding the TIFIA loan program from a $110 million program to a $1 billion program and re-branding the program "America Fast Forward." The policy statement was signed by committee leadership from the Republican and Democrat side of the aisle, including California Senator Barbara Boxer.
May 26, 2011
State of the City: Mayor’s “New Contract” Not Just About Education
What a difference a few years makes. For the fourth time since Streetsblog has been publishing in Los Angeles, Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa gave a "state of the city" address to talk about where the city is and where he hopes to lead it in the coming years. When we first covered this annual speech in 2008, the Mayor barely mentioned transportation other than a promise to ask the MTA Board to work on ways to build out the transit system. He didn't even call the agency Metro.
April 14, 2011
CicLAvia: When it’s OK to Play in the Street
Yesterday, over a hundred thousand Los Angeles residents turned out for the second-ever cicLAvia. Envisioned as a way to get busy Angelenos out of their cars and into the streets together, cicLAvia opens up a 7.5 mile route along our city streets, allowing cyclists, skaters, and pedestrians to enjoy a car-free LA.
April 11, 2011
In Shock Move, Villaraigosa Taps Ed Begley Jr. for LADOT G.M.
(Sorry guys, I can't help myself. For previous April Fool's shennanigans, check out last year's piece on Rita Robinson's speech in New York or 2008's announcement of LADOT's "Be Safe or Be Roadkill" P.S.A. Campaign - DN)
April 1, 2011
Goodbye, 30/10. Hello, Fast Forward America.
Goodbye "30/10" and hello "Fast Forward America."
February 23, 2011
Transit People’s Free Advice for Mayor, Metro on Free Transit Passes for Field Trips
Earlier this month, Mayor Villaraigosa, who also serves on the Metro Board of Directors, proposed that the transit agency give free Metro passes to classrooms for field trips during off-peak hours. The proposal appears to be a win-win, as students in the "cash-strapped" LAUSD get a chance to travel to some of the many fun and educational places in Los Angeles and get a chance to do so via public transit.
November 24, 2010