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Streetsblog LA
In Battle Over Pensions, Federal Government Lets Unions Hold Transit Hostage
Labor unions weren't happy when Governor Jerry Brown signed the Public Employees Pension Reform Act of 2012. The law, which applies to government workers across the state, allows government agencies more flexibility in extending the retirement age, increase employee contribution, and halt the practice of "pension spiking" for new employees. A full summary of the legislation is at the bottom of Brown's press release from last September.
August 15, 2013
Gov. Brown Could Sign Bill to Help Finance Sustainable Development in CA
Governor Jerry Brown is poised to sign a bill that would enable cities and counties in California to finance regional smart growth plans and sustainable transportation improvements through the creation of Sustainable Communities Investment Authorities.
August 9, 2013
Livability Advocates Dominate #RoadBond Hearing, Press Ignores
On Wednesday, the City Council Public Works and Gang Reduction Committee ordered city staff to study funding options for a bond proposal to fix city streets.
August 9, 2013
Did City Admit Culpability in Boardwalk Hit and Run by Calling for Traffic Bollards?
For the most part, Council Member Mike Bonin and the City of Los Angeles have received high marks for their response to Saturday evening's vehicular attack on the Venice Boardwalk. However, following Tuesday's vote to install temporary bollards to physically block vehicular access to the Boardwalk, a rumble began that the city may have erred.
August 8, 2013
Getting to Know the New Metro Board Chair, Diane DuBois
The City of Lakewood is one of the more car-dependent cities in Los Angeles. Despite being the size of Santa Monica in population, under 500 people take transit to get to work. Even fewer walk or bicycle. Outside of a Dash Shuttle Van for seniors, Lakewood does not have its own transit system, relying instead on Metro and Long Beach Transit for service.
August 6, 2013
Response to Venice Boardwalk Crash Should Be Model, Not Outlier
Saturday in the late afternoona, Nathan Lewis Campbell got in his car and created carnage on the Venice Boardwalk. The 38-year-old native of Colorado drove on to the boardwalk and swerved through the area injuring dozens and killing Italian Alice Gruppioni, a 32 year old newly waling barefoot on the beach next to her husband. They were on their honeymoon.
August 5, 2013
Public Safety Committee Acknowledges the Hit and Run Crisis, LAPD Not So Much.
In Los Angeles, according to LAPD crime statistics for 2011, 1273 cyclists and pedestrians were victims of hit and run crimes. In other words every single day, 3 or 4 cyclists and pedestrians become hit and run victims within Los Angeles city limits. Of these, 26 people walking or biking died as a result of the collision in which a motorist fled the scene. Another 10 victims were killed while in cars.
August 2, 2013
California Traffic Control Devices Committee Approves New Design for Spring Street Green Buffered Bike Lane
Last week, the California Traffic Control Devices Committee approved the "compromise" design for the Spring Street Green Buffered Bike Lane. The CTCD was the last body that needed to approve the design.
July 30, 2013
Is the City Cutting Corners on Crosswalk and Bike Lane Installation
Late last year, the City of Los Angeles celebrated the installation of its first Continental Crosswalks in Downtown Los Angeles. These striped crosswalks are more visible than traditional crosswalks and the road markings make clear to motorists that they need to stop behind, not inside, a crosswalk.
July 24, 2013