1. Winning Dedicated Funding for California Transit
Presented to Smart Growth America
March 23, 2010
Washington, D.C.

2. Policy Objectives Central Policy Goals:
By 2011: state legislation authorizing regional implementation of voter-approved vehicle-based carbon fee.
By 2012: voter approval in one region of vehicle-based carbon fee to generate at least $1.5 billion over 10 years for public transit operations and facilities.

3. State Budget Fiasco Playing Havoc with Transit Funding
Has led to ridership declines amid growing ridership trends b/c service cuts, fare hikes.
millions
Source: California Transit Association

4. Deep Shortfalls from North to South
Combined operating & capital shortfall (CA largest agencies): $470 m/yr
Projected 2030/35 operating deficit (14 largest transit agencies): $6.7 billion
Projected 2030/35 capital shortfall: $25-50 billion
LA Region: $114 m/yr
Bay Area: $321 m/ yr
San Diego Region: $26 m/yr

5. Winning New Transit Funding: A Path Forward
Selecting the mechanism
Coalition principles
Avoid mechanisms that invite well-funded opposition (business, oil industry)
Follow polling indicators: gas taxes are non-starters
Regional implementation in ripe regions
Heed price sensitivity

6. Vehicle-Based Carbon Fee
Describe fee

7. Building the Coalition
Target partners: Environment, Transportation, Business, Government, Labor, Political, Community
Expand circle of partners in mid-April
Continue expanding the circle (Spring/Summer 2010)

8. Getting to the Ballot: A Two-Step Strategy
Legislation articulating the expenditure parameters and authorizing regional implementation of a vehicle-based carbon fee (2011)
SF Bay Area or other regional campaign for November 2012

9. Step 1: A Winning Legislative Strategy
Develop the policy (Summer/Fall 2010)
Set parameters for expenditures
Grant authorization to regions
Define regional boundaries
Refine revenue estimates
Recruit key legislative endorsers/supporters (Summer 2010)
Identify bill authors (October 2010)

10. Step 1: A Winning Legislative Strategy (timeline)
Meet with the Senate and Assembly leadership (Winter 2010/2011)
Recruit Bay Area legislative co-authors and sponsors (Winter 2010/2011)
Introduce legislation (February 2011)
Conduct professional process to craft the regional expenditure plan (2011)
Conduct aggressive grassroots lobbying effort with coalition partners to support legislation (Spring/Summer 2011)
Use legislative process to build support and drive public awareness of need and solution (Spring/Summer 2011)
Track/manage legislation (Spring-Summer 2011)
Produce media/communications support program (Spring-Summer 2011)
Governor signs legislation (Fall 2011); effective January 2012
Just flash this, don’t go through– key is need for statewide support for bill.

11. Campaign Structure for Legislative Strategy
Legislative advocate
Policy director
Coalition members
Coalition/grassroots lobbying campaign
Paid and earned media campaign
$500, ,000
12-18 month duration

12. Step 2: Developing a Winning Campaign
Broad-based regional campaign structure (Fall/Winter 2011):
Executive Committee
Campaign Committee
Media and Campaign Consultant
Pollsters
Cost estimates:
SF Bay Area: $3-$5 million
LA Region: $5-10 million
San Diego: $2-3 million
Communicate primarily through TV, radio, Internet

13. Challenges and Considerations
Economic recovery?
New Governor in 2010
High Legislative turnover (term limits)
State budget and related funding legislation

14. Communications Opportunities: Compelling Messages
Keeping transit affordable for all
Expanding transit availability for vulnerable populations
Expanding transit service
Replacing high-polluting buses with energy efficient, low-emission vehicles
Restoring transit services from cuts

15. Other Key Messages Local funding, local control
Benefits for the environment/fighting global warming
Traffic/congestion reduction

16. Discussion & Questions
More from Carli Paine, & Bob Allen,