California's Active Transportation Program (ATP), which funds cycling and pedestrian projects, is facing severe funding cuts despite being highly popular and oversubscribed. In 2023, Governor Newsom proposed defunding the program entirely, but the state legislature intervened to allocate $600 million, matching previous years' funding. Last year's budget saw a $400 million cut, leading to ongoing financial uncertainty for the program. Critics argue that state leadership underappreciates the ATP's importance, undermining climate efforts and local demand for enhanced pedestrian and biking infrastructure.
The Active Transportation Program is the victim of its own success, continuously oversubscribed. Yet the governor and some of our lawmakers fail to recognize its value.
The disregard for biking and walking at the state level undercuts state climate policy and makes it harder for local governments to meet residents' demands for safer streets.
#active-transportation-program #california-budget #bicycle-infrastructure #climate-policy #transportation-funding
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