The state Legislature and Governor are actively discussing proposals to reauthorize the Cap-and-Trade program and reform the market and expenditure program. SPUR believes that Cap-and-Trade is one of California’s most effective tools for reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and providing critical funding for sustainable transportation and transit-oriented affordable housing. This letter expresses support for reauthorizing the program and recommends reforms to the public transit funding programs under the Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund (GGRF) umbrella. We urge the state to add flexibility so that there is more funding to meet the diversity of transit funding needs across the state, and greater predictability in operating funding from year to year, as well as specific ways to achieve those goals.

SPUR submitted letters to both SamTrans and VTA urging both boards to opt into Senate Bill 63, legislation that would authorize a future regional ballot measure to fund transit. SPUR has worked extensively with the bill's authors and stakeholders in both San Mateo and Santa Clara counties to encourage participation in a future regional measure.