ACTION ALERT: Speak out on SCAG Scenario - Vote Coming Nov 3rd!

ACTION ALERT!                      October 27, 2011 Speak out on the SCAG Scenarios   Southern California Association of Governments (SCAG) has released its preferred scenario for its 2012 Sustainable Communities Strategy and Regional Transportation Plan. The scenario takes several good steps forward, but it needs to take a few more!   The Regional Council will vote on the preferred scenario at its meeting on November 3rd - and they need to hear from you.  Please come and speak out at the hearing (see details below) If you cannot attend, please send a letter for the Regional Council to the clerk, Deby     Salcido at salcido@scag.ca.gov by 5 pm Monday, October 31. In your letter or testimony, thank SCAG's Regional Council for what they've done well, and then ask the Regional Council to: Continue to expand our transit system and services:  Our transit system has come a long way in recent years, but we need to continue to build upon that system, especially with services such as Bus Rapid Transit and Metrolink, which will allow Southern Californians to have more choices in how to get around, alleviate pressure on the highway system, and improve air quality. Encourage development in transit station areas:  Research shows that compact development reduces the need to drive from 20-40%.  Expanding our transit system provides an opportunity to build convenient, walkable neighborhoods close to transit stops, thereby helping to reduce traffic congestion and air pollution. Significantly boost funding for walking and biking: Over 20% of all trips in the region are on foot or by bike.  It is important that the plan further boost funding to go toward making that travel safer and helping more people travel in healthy, active ways. A quarter of all traffic injuries and deaths are pedestrian and cyclists. That needs to change! Strengthen the Compass Blueprint planning incentive grant program: The preferred scenario will succeed only if the region's cities and towns are able to plan and build healthy, walkable communities around transportation nodes that serve people of all incomes. Ask SCAG to fund planning and infrastructure in the local jurisdictions that are most ready to go above and beyond. Explore options for increasing  revenue sources: The region has a huge funding shortfall that it needs to fill. We need to find a strategy to provide funding to fix roads and bridges, increase walking and biking, and expand bus and Metrolink service around the region. For more info, or to coordinate about attending the meeting, contact Move LA's Beth Steckler, sbsteckler@gmail.com or 310-310-2390.   Nov 3 Meeting Details:  SCAG Regional Council and Joint Meeting of the Policy Committees November 3rd, 10:00 am - 2pm SCAG Main Office 818 West 7th Street, 12th Floor Los Angeles, CA Agenda and meeting materials will be posted at: http://www.scag.ca.gov/committees/rc.htm Webcast will be available at: http://www.scag.ca.gov/agendas.htm