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

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.

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

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

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

Vehicle-Based Carbon Fee Describe fee

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)

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

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)

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.

Campaign Structure for Legislative Strategy Legislative advocate Policy director Coalition members Coalition/grassroots lobbying campaign Paid and earned media campaign $500,000-750,000 12-18 month duration

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

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

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

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

Discussion & Questions More from Carli Paine, carli@TransFormCA.org & Bob Allen, bob@urbanhabitat.org