The bill’s sponsors say it’s only fair to extend tax relief to Californians who don’t own cars as the state aims to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and decrease driving.

A bill proposed by California State Senator Anthony Portantino (D – La Cañada/Flintridge) and sponsored by Streets for All would offer a $2,500 per person tax credit to taxpayers who don’t own cars or whose households have fewer cars than people. According to an article by Melanie Curry in Streetsblog California, “It’s a stimulus aimed at people who need it most – those who cannot afford a car – as well as an incentive for everyone to reduce dependence on cars.”
With the transportation sector as the largest contributor to greenhouse gas emissions in the state, “California is investing a lot of money into helping drivers transition to electric vehicles, via direct incentives to car buyers, building infrastructure, and tax breaks for electric car owners.” But according to the state’s Air Resources Board, “Californians will need to drive less, full stop.”
As Curry notes, “Better transit and safer bike and pedestrian infrastructure will be absolutely be necessary. But millions of Californians do get by without owning cars, either because they can’t afford one or don’t want to add a further burden to the environment. This bill would reward people for living car-free or ‘car-light,’ and encourage more people to do so.”
FULL STORY: New Bill Would Create an Incentive to Go Car-Free in California

Planetizen Federal Action Tracker
A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.

Chicago’s Ghost Rails
Just beneath the surface of the modern city lie the remnants of its expansive early 20th-century streetcar system.

Amtrak Cutting Jobs, Funding to High-Speed Rail
The agency plans to cut 10 percent of its workforce and has confirmed it will not fund new high-speed rail projects.

Ohio Forces Data Centers to Prepay for Power
Utilities are calling on states to hold data center operators responsible for new energy demands to prevent leaving consumers on the hook for their bills.

MARTA CEO Steps Down Amid Citizenship Concerns
MARTA’s board announced Thursday that its chief, who is from Canada, is resigning due to questions about his immigration status.

Silicon Valley ‘Bike Superhighway’ Awarded $14M State Grant
A Caltrans grant brings the 10-mile Central Bikeway project connecting Santa Clara and East San Jose closer to fruition.
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