Gov. Newsom Awards of $2.5 B. for Public Transportation Projects Throughout California

SACRAMENTO — Gov. Gavin Newsom Jan. 31 announced an award of more than $2.5 billion to 16 ongoing public transportation projects in the first wave of an infusion of state funding to expand transit and passenger rail service throughout the state, helping to cut planet-warming pollution.

The funding announcement is part of a larger, multiyear, multibillion-dollar investment to upgrade the state’s transit system to enhance mobility options, improve service and reduce overdependence on driving. The grants are administered by the California State Transportation Agency or CalSTA as part of the Transit and Intercity Rail Capital Program or TIRCP.

A local project to receive funding includes: $407 million for the Inglewood transit connector, putting it at full funding. Scheduled to be completed in time for service to support the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics, the project previously received $95 million in TIRCP funding.

In addition to the $2.54 billion announced today for existing TIRCP projects, CalSTA will award another $1.14 billion to new transit projects and improvements at high-priority intersections where rail lines and public streets meet by the end of April, with billions more in funding over the next few years.

Details: https://tinyurl.com/mrxnnm9h 

Gov. Newsom Takes Action to Strengthen California’s Gun Safety Laws / photo downloaded

SACRAMENTO — In the wake of multiple mass shootings that took the lives of 19 Californians in just 72 hours last week, Gov. Gavin Newsom, Attorney General Rob Bonta, and Sen. Anthony Portantino (D-Burbank) announced new gun safety legislation to modernize and strengthen California’s public carry laws.

Last June, the U.S. Supreme Court struck down a New York law, aspects of which mirrored California’s public carry laws, and the legislation announced today – Senate Bill 2 by Senator Portantino – would make fixes necessary to update the standards and processes for obtaining a public carry permit in California.

What the legislation does:

Senate Bill 2 strengthens California’s restrictions regarding public carry laws by:

• Enhancing the existing licensing system – ensuring those permitted to carry firearms in public are responsible and law-abiding individuals;
• Protecting children – setting a minimum age requirement of 21 years of age to obtain a CCW license;
• Advancing stronger training requirements – ensuring proper handling, loading, unloading and storage of firearms; and
• Identifying certain sensitive public places – establishing safe community places where people should expect freedom from gun violence.