The infrastructure bonds, state budget and other issues have brought together state legislators representing our region and members of SACOG's Board of Directors. Regional priorities include pursuing bond funds for our region and promoting the Blueprint smart growth vision. SACOG is working with legislators to ensure that we maximize the region's share of the transportation and housing bonds to support a mix of highway, local road and transit projects for the six-county region.
SACOG will advocate for implementation legislation that takes advantage of bond funds to support Blueprint and Metropolitan Transportation Plan objectives and under-funded regional needs.
SACOG will seek more flexibility for local governments to increase or reconfigure transportation funding, via local revenue options and private partnerships, with particular urgency for funds to support expanded transit operations.
SACOG will seek to eliminate or reduce restrictions on project delivery for Caltrans and local agencies, removing limits on designbuild contracting and publicprivate partnerships and taking steps to streamline environmental review consistent with environmental protection objectives.
SACOG will work in partnership with flood protection agencies to promote legislation that improves public safety, provides funding to help local flood protection efforts, and helps to implement the Blueprint and Metropolitan Transportation Plan.
SACOG's Board of Directors adopted a flexible strategy for the two federal budget cycles now in play. Funding rail relocation for the downtown Sacramento Railyards Intermodal Station will continue to be a top priority. SACOG will also pursue discretionary funding for rail projects that can be ready for construction by 2008, such as light rail South Line Phase 2, northeast and Folsom double tracking, and rail car rehabilitation.
Discretionary funding for bus replacements, Blueprint-supporting projects from federal highway programs and support for Amtrak services will also be pursued.
Regional Report for February - March 2007 (text-only version)
Also available: PDF version
Sacramento Area Council of Governments