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February 10,
2010
Chamber Opposes
Parking Regulations
The Redondo
Beach Chamber of Commerce & Visitors Bureau has voiced its
opposition to SB 518. The legislative proposal would reduce
the availability of free parking that helps to attract
customers to local shops and businesses in certain
communities.
“SB 518 would stall economic recovery and push potential
foot traffic out of downtown communities that desperately
need consumers,” said Marna Smeltzer, President and CEO of
the Redondo Beach Chamber of Commerce & Visitors Bureau.
“This regulation would directly impact small businesses and
would hurt Main Street. This is a terrible time to deter
behavior of the customers that small businesses rely on to
grow.”
The proposal, sponsored by State Senator Alan Lowenthal
(D-Long Beach), would through a series of credits and
points, incentivize city and county governments to stop
providing free parking on the street and at government
offices. Furthermore, the proposal would reduce the amount
of parking businesses and property owners are required to
provide under certain ordinances.
“We need our elected officials to focus on policies that
will help the economy,” continued Smeltzer.
September 30, 2008
TAKE ACTION! Chamber Urges Community to Support
Transit Line Extension
 The
Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority
(Metro) is considering the expansion of a transit line known
as the Harbor Subdivision. The Harbor Subdivision is a
freight rail corridor, approximately 26 miles in length,
that goes from downtown Los Angeles towards the coast and
down through the South Bay to Long Beach. Metro owns the
right of way.
Please plan to attend Metro's public hearing to talk
about the study of this project:
TONIGHT, September 30, 2008
6:00pm - 8:00 pm
El Segundo Public Library
Friends of the Library Room
111 W. Mariposa Ave.
El Segundo, CA 90245
The study will examine
potential transit service:
- Improving mobility in southwestern Los Angeles County by
introducing high-frequency transit service options
- Enhancing the regional transit network by interconnecting
existing and planned rapid transit lines
- Providing an alternative mode of transportation for
commuters currently using the congested I-405 and I-110
corridors
- Improving transit accessibility for residents of
communities along the corridor
- Encouraging a mode shift to transit, reducing air
pollution and greenhouse gas emissions
The AA will evaluate a broad range of alternatives including
Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) with dedicated bus lanes, various
types of rail technology such as Light Rail Transit (LRT)
and commuter rail, as well as “no-build” and Transportation
Systems Management improvements.
- All modes will be separate from the existing rail line but
in the same right of way.
In addition, the analysis will examine potential financing
mechanisms outside the traditional funding sources commonly
used for constructing and operating transit service.
Once the study is complete, Metro staff will recommend a
course of action to the Metro Board, including possibly
proceeding with an environmental document consistent with
both federal and state requirements.
Take Action!
Email Your Letter to the
Redondo Beach Chamber of Commerce!
We Will Send the Letter
for You!
August 15, 2008
Chamber Urges Community to Support Local Transportation
Solutions
The current
state of our transportation systems is flawed and we are
doing something to change it. Recently, the Los Angeles
County Metropolitan Transportation Authority (Metro)
proposed a measure to make substantial improvements to our
local transportation infrastructure. Specifically, Metro
proposed a half-cent sales tax measure for Los Angeles
County that will appear on the November ballot.
Transportation improvements are one of the top priorities of
our Chamber. We support and encourage reasonable and
effective efforts to increase the efficiency and
productivity of the existing transportation system and to
reduce congestion, increase traffic flow, and reduce
pollution throughout the Redondo Beach region. That is why
we are supporting Metro’s sales tax increase ballot measure.
The measure will pay for dozens of transportation projects
aimed at giving residents more transportation choices and
updating and maintaining the current infrastructure. We are
especially pleased that the measure includes an expenditure
plan that list projects in detail and how the money from the
sales tax would be used. Finally, the Los Angeles County
Economic Development Corporation estimates that the sales
tax increase would cost just $25 more per person annually.
The specifics of the measure are as follows:
- Estimated to generate $40 billion over 30 years.
- Monies also
could be leveraged with state, federal and private sector
funding.
- A list of
projects in the South Bay Area that are eligible to receive
funding have been identified as:
1. Crenshaw
Transit Corridor
2. Regional Connector: Links Local Rail Lines
3. Green Line Extension: Redondo Beach Station to South Bay
Corridor
4. Green Line Extension to Los Angeles International Airport
5. I-405, I-110, I-105 and SR-91 ramp and interchange
improvements
- In addition,
the 88 cities and county unincorporated areas would receive
15 percent of sales tax revenue for local transit services,
street resurfacing, left hand turn signals, bikeways,
pedestrian improvements and other local transportation
priorities.
- 20% of the
monies would help subsidize countywide bus operations.
- 5% will pay
for Metrolink operations, maintenance and expansion and for
purchasing Metro Rail train cars, rail yards and other
system improvements.
- Annual
independent audit and report along with an ongoing monitor
and review system of the money spent is included in the
measure. This would be conducted by an independent taxpayer
oversight committee.
June 21, 2008
Chamber Urges Community to Support Local Transportation
Solutions
The Redondo
Beach Chamber of Commerce & Visitors Bureau is working to
raise awareness about and improve transportation throughout
the South Bay region. As part of its efforts, the Chamber is
reviewing the Long Range Transportation Plan (LRTP), a
30-year funding guide for transportation construction and
service in Los Angeles County, of the Los Angeles County
Metropolitan Transportation Authority (Metro) Board of
Directors. The Metro Board is currently considering the
recent updates to the LRTP from June 26.
The update lists priorities for highway and transit based
upon sound and objective criteria but there are currently no
revenues for any new projects in the Plan. Many communities
continue to voice their support for projects.
“The issue of transportation is one of this Chamber’s number
one priorities,” stated Charles Gale, Jr. Chair of the
Chamber’s Government Relations Council. “We are working with
the local business community to collect feedback on
reasonable solutions to our transportation failures,”
continued Gale.
Metro staff created Tiers of projects, identifying those
that are farther along in the planning process and could be
considered if new funding is identified. Two transit
projects within Tier 1 of the plan include consideration of
the Harbor Subdivision Right-of-Way and extension of the
Green Line to LAX for passenger service. The Chamber has
supported both of these projects as potential services into
the South Bay. Projects noted in Tier 2 of the plan add the
southern extension of both of the Tier 1 projects.
Other projects and service supported by the South Bay
include: support for local sub-regional projects, such as
the neighborhood vehicle pilot project; enhancement of
coordination between Metro bus service and the Municipal
operators; further development and funding of the Redondo
Beach Regional Transit Center and the Torrance Regional
Transit Center; greater review of goods movement issues
impacting the South Bay; and a stronger role in addressing
issues pertaining to major arterials, or mini-freeways, in
the region.
June 12, 2008
Take Action! Support
Efforts To Improve Transportation
The
Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority
(Metro) Board of Directors needs to know of your support for
transportation in the South Bay Region.
The Long Range Transportation
Plan (LRTP) is the 30-year funding guide for transportation
construction and service in Los Angeles County. The LRTP is
periodically updated and the Metro Board will consider the
updated plan on June 26. The update lists priorities for
highway and transit based upon sound and objective criteria
but there are currently no revenues for any new projects in
the Plan.
Many communities are voicing their support for projects.
That is why your voice must be heard!
As a result, Metro staff
created Tiers of projects, identifying those that are
farther along in the planning process and could be
considered if new funding is identified as Tier 1. Two
transit projects within Tier 1 of the plan include
consideration of the Harbor Subdivision Right-of-Way and
extension of the Green Line to LAX for passenger service.
We support both of these
projects as potential services into the South Bay. Projects
noted in Tier 2 of the plan add the southern extension of
both of the Tier 1 projects.
Other projects and service
supported by the South Bay include: Support for local
sub-regional projects, such as the neighborhood vehicle
pilot project; enhancement of coordination between Metro bus
service and the Municipal operators; further development and
funding of the Redondo Beach Regional Transit Center and the
Torrance Regional Transit Center; greater review of goods
movement issues impacting the South Bay; and a stronger role
in addressing issues pertaining to major arterials, really
mini freeways, in the region.
Take Action!
Email Your Letter to the
Redondo Beach Chamber of Commerce!
We Will Send the Letter
for You!
August 15,
2007
Fuel Tax: The Wrong Way
Forward
By Glenn Bishop
2007 Chair of the Board
.jpg) SB 140 would
require at least 2 percent of all diesel fuel sold in the
state to contain renewable diesel fuel by a date specified
by the Air Resources Board (ARB) and 5 percent two years
after the implementation of the 2 percent standard.
AB 1007 (Pavley; D-Agoura Hills), signed in 2005, required
the California Energy Commission and the ARB to evaluate and
recommend options for diversifying the state’s energy
portfolio to increase consumer access to and use of
alternative, non-petroleum fuels. This process is underway.
Unfortunately, SB 140 prejudges this analysis by choosing a
winner in the fuels market when all options have not been
thoroughly researched and examined.
Although renewable diesel fuel likely will play an important
role in California’s energy future, it is important to allow
the market to pursue as many options as possible instead of
prematurely picking winners. Only then can the best fuel
options for emission reductions be determined.
Furthermore, SB 140 would make demands on the state’s fuel
transportation infrastructure that it is not equipped to
meet, potentially resulting in increased transportation
costs, decreased supply reliability and even damage to
existing infrastructure.
March 30, 2006
Redondo Beach
Chamber Says: Legislature Stop Stealing Our Money and Fix
Our Roads!
Proposition on November Ballot
will Close the Proposition 42 Gas Tax Loophole So We Can
Improve Transportation
There is an old saying “Keep your eye upon the donut, not
upon the hole”--generally good advice. The effort to get a
constitutional amendment to close a loophole in Proposition
42 asks that we reverse that perspective, and for good
reason. Voters must regain what they voted for in 2002 by
fixing a small provision that allows the state legislature
to divert funds from taxes designated for use to fix our
transportation infrastructure.
Nearly 70% of California voters overwhelmingly passed
Proposition 42 in 2002 – dedicating the existing state sales
tax on gasoline to fund transportation projects like
congestion relief, road repairs, plus transit and safety
improvements. What was overlooked in Proposition 42 was a
provision that allows the legislature and Governor to divert
funds to non-transportation state expenditures in the State
General Fund. It was only intended to be used during fiscal
emergencies. Unfortunately – but not surprising – this
“loophole” has been liberally used by legislators who have
repeatedly diverted the gas tax revenues to fund other
projects in the general fund not related to transportation
improvements.
In fact, in two out of the last three budget years nearly
$2.5 billion has been diverted to non-transportation
expenses. This loophole in Prop. 42 has been abused and the
will of the voters is not being upheld. As a result, state
and local agencies have had to delay or stop many critical
safety improvements, congestion relief projects, road
repairs and other transportation needs.
Roads are crumbling, highways remain congested, and the most
hazardous corridors and intersections are not being
improved. California has the worst roads in the nation,
according to a recent report by The Road Information
Program. Three out of 10 of the state's overpasses and
bridges are structurally deficient or functionally obsolete.
Almost half - 49 percent - of California's urban freeways
are considered congested.
This transportation crisis is threatening our economy and
the safety and quality of life of every Californian.
A broad-based coalition which consists of the California
Chamber of Commerce, California Alliance for Jobs, League of
California Cities, California State Association of Counties,
California Business Roundtable and numerous other business,
labor, local government, taxpayer watchdog and community
groups is collecting signatures to qualify a constitutional
amendment for the November 2006 ballot. If passed, this
measure would close the Prop. 42 loophole, uphold the will
of voters, and ensure once and for all that the existing
sales taxes paid at the pump are used for transportation
improvements.
This measure would prevent the legislature and Governor from
diverting the sales taxes on gasoline to non-transportation
expenses. It also requires the State to reimburse the $2.5
billion in funds previously diverted. It responsibly allows
10 years for repayment to avoid any immediate fiscal impact.
The measure will not raise taxes. it simply ensures that the
gasoline sales tax we already pay at the pump will be used
for transportation projects to improve safety and help
reduce congestion.
By closing the Prop. 42 loophole, this measure would finally
provide a stable funding source for state and local agencies
responsible for transportation improvements. We need to
support this much needed revision, back at the voting booth
where we can confirm the will of the people and improve
traffic now.
Click here to contact the Redondo Beach Chamber
for more
information
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