On a 10-3 vote, CARB adopted amendments to the Cap & Invest Program that will eliminate critical $$$ for affordable housing, transit, & clean air programs. Though we lost the vote, we found new unity between housing, transit, enviro & EJ groups. Together, we'll bring our fight push to the Capitol.

Wild how little news coverage there has been about these massive changes to California's Cap & Invest plans. Something that has utilities, oil lobbies, council of county governments, community groups across the country spending est 12 hours in public comment is worth reporting on

Opponents of amendments to the Cap-and-Invest program outnumbered supporters 3-to-1 at @airresources.bsky.social hearing. HUGE turnout in oppo from transit and housing advocates, enviro and EJ groups, ag orgs, and labor. Messages focused on striking MDI and protecting GGRF. Vote set for tomorrow.

Dairy, oil, utilities, wastewater, transit, farm, business, large energy consumers, & lots more lobbies think the shifting of billions of dollars in California's cap & invest program is worth spending hours of public comment on Is your local paper paying attention? us02web.zoom.us/webinar/regi...

1/x We’re tuning in to California’s @airresources.bsky.social hearing. Today, Newsom’s air regulators are considering rushed changes to the Cap-and-Invest system that would divert BILLIONS from housing, transit, clean water— and send it straight to Big Oil.

Last year, we stood with the Governor and administration to reauthorize Cap-and-Trade and protect critical funding for housing, transit, and air quality programs statewide. Now, a @airresources.bsky.social proposal this Thursday would cut $2 billion from those same programs.

🚨🚨🚨“…the planned update will likely mean far less money — and in some years little or none — for…mass transit, affordable housing and smart development, wildfire and forest resilience, healthy air and clean drinking water. These programs received nearly $2 billion collectively this year…”

$2 billion annually. That's what Californians stand to lose in investment in affordable housing, public transportation, and clean air programs if the @airresources.bsky.social acts next week to adopt proposed amendments to the landmark Cap-and-Invest program. #CAleg

The California Transit Association is leading a coalition effort of nearly 70 stakeholders and 50 transit agencies concerned over proposed amendments to the Cap-and-Invest program.

Transit, labor, and housing leaders across California are raising concerns about proposed @CARB amendments to the Cap-and-Invest program. Read the full statement here: https://linktr.ee/CalTransit

Join the California Transit Association, in partnership with Mineta Transportation Institute, and WTS Sacramento for a discussion celebrating Women’s History Month and the impact of female leadership in transit and transportation. It’s all happening on Tuesday, March 24, 2026.

The Association is proud to welcome former U.S. Secretary of Transportation Pete Buttigieg as the keynote speaker for the 60th Annual Fall Conference & Expo. 1/3

A tremendous week of learning, collaboration and celebration with our transit partners at the American Public Transportation Association’s Transform! Congrats to all of this year’s award recipients - it’s a testament to the innovative leadership California is bringing to the #transit industry.

We’ve been informed by the Governor’s Department of Finance that it won’t agree before our legislative session ends (on Friday) to finalize a $750M bridge loan to Bay Area transit. This loan was agreed to in our June budget. Without it, BART, Muni, et al will cut service.🧵

Cap-and-Trade investments in transit tackle overlapping challenges including congestion, pollution, climate change, and economic disparity. (1/3)

Transit agencies across California depend on Cap-and-Trade funding certainty for capital projects and operations.

The Climate Safe Infrastructure Coalition has sent priorities to California's Governor and Legislature following last week's rally at the Capitol. Read the letter: bit.ly/4lW8wxt

The California Transit Association is proud to stand alongside partners from across the state in urging #CALeg and Gov to prioritize Cap-and-Trade investments in climate-safe infrastructure that reduces emissions and supports middle-class jobs. Read our letter: bit.ly/3IpStt9

During a press conference organized by the Climate Safe Infrastructure Coalition earlier today, Executive Director Michael Pimentel emphasized the impact of Cap & Trade program investments to date and emphasized the importance of continued investments to support California's climate goals.

Join us tomorrow, July 8, 2025, at 10 a.m. on the West Steps of the State Capitol to support the Climate Safe Infrastructure Coalition’s mission for sustainable infrastructure investments.

Spent the day in Marina for the groundbreaking of the MST SURF! Project. This busway will transform travel along the Central Coast, connecting the cities of Salinas and Monterey — and all cities in between — with a dedicated busway. This project is critical for relieving congestion on Highway 1.

Thank you @scottwiener.bsky.social @jessearreguin.bsky.social & @asmmarkgonzalez.bsky.social for fighting for transit. The Legislature's budget proposal restores $1.1B in transit funding w/up to $750M in loans to Bay Area agencies—but it's not final until an agreement w/ @governor.ca.gov is reached.

The Legislature’s two-party #cabudget agreement brings hope to the fight to protect transit funding, but there’s still more work for us to do. See my Op-Ed for @caltransit.bsky.social in @sacbee.com. #caleg 1/2

RIP to this musical genius and gentle soul. Brian’s music helped shape California’s identity to our nation and the world, and he was one of the defining voices of 60’s pop & rock music. I’m glad to have grown up in an era that saw him get new acclaim in the music of so many indie acts.

BIG TRANSIT NEWS: As part of Senate/Assembly budget negotiations, we’ve agreed to reject the Governor’s $1.1B proposed cut to public transit. We’ve also agreed to extend a $750M loan to major Bay Area transit systems facing massive service cuts. 🧵

What’s in the two-party agreement for transit? 💵 Rejection of the Governor’s $1.1B in proposed cuts to one-time transit funding. This restores all one-time funding for SB 125 (emergency relief) and TIRCP Cycle 6 (major capital projects). 💳 New $750M loan to Bay Area transit agencies. 1/3 #caleg

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MTS is leading the nation on transit recovery. 🚌 80M trips annually 📍95% pre-pandemic ridership 📈 2nd fastest ridership recovery But the state budget threatens this progress with $3B in cuts to transit funding. Sharon Cooney, Chair @caltransit.bsky.social, CEO @sandiegomts.bsky.social

Without continued GGRF commitments to TIRCP and LCTOP, agencies, including the Gold Coast Transit District, may face difficult choices between cutting service levels just as ridership rebounds.

Lots at stake in the state budget for Bay Area transit — and for projects and services in LA, OC, SD, IE, Central Coast, CV. We must work to reverse the proposed cuts to one-time funding as we stabilize and increase ongoing support for transit. Great reporting @danbrekke.bsky.social #caleg #transit

The California Transit Association recommends the Legislature and Newsom Administration reach agreement on a final Cap-and-Invest Plan that honors all existing commitments from the GGRF. Full statement: caltransit.org/News/News-An...

Gov. Newsom's Cap-and-Invest Plan puts $3B for transit at risk. @caltransit.bsky.social is working to protect these funds as we call on the Gov. and Legislature to enact a final plan built on a foundation of investment in mass transit. #caleg #transit Read our letter: tinyurl.com/22a5tscp

As the legislative session kicks into high gear, it’s time to ensure you’re following the players working to improve public transit in California. See someone who should be on the list, let me know! #caleg #transit

@caltransit.bsky.social Executive Director Michael Pimentel (@mvpimentel.bsky.social) on the importance of continued investments in transit, featured in Alejandro Lazo (@gauchoesque.bsky.social‬)'s piece in @calmatters.org. Read the full article: calmatters.org/environment/...

My organization, the California Transit Association, is now on Bluesky! Follow us for updates on the latest developments on California transit policy and funding.

@caltransit.bsky.social Executive Director, Michael Pimentel responds to release of Governor’s May Revise and “Cap-and-Invest” plan. Full statement here: caltransit.org/News/News-An...

Lots to unpack on Gov. Newsom’s May Revise and its impact on transit. Here’s what we know. The MR’s Cap-and-Invest Plan effectively resets the Cap-and-Trade Expenditure Plan established in 2014 as well as years of budget actions to direct multi-year funding to various programs. 1/X

LA Metro to Bob Baker. Full trains, packed park.

Bay Area transit is at severe risk of major service cuts if we don’t step up. These systems are essential for our region’s future. We must not let them fail. We’re advancing legislation to authorize a multi-county revenue measure to stabilize them. We’re determined to keep these systems strong.

The first bill to be introduced in the California Transit Association’s sponsored bill package. We look forward to working with @scottwiener.bsky.social and our co-sponsors, SPUR and Bay Area Council, to move this bill forward.

Gearing up for the #CALeg session with the release of @Caltransit 2025 State Legislative Program. Our leg/budget priorities focus on the basic of public transit. 1/X

Stoked to have landed tix for Van Dyke Parks’s farewell show in LA. It’s been 15 years since I saw him at Cafe du Nord. What a career!

LOTS of ground covered today — both literally and figuratively as I traveled to Clovis and participated in CalSTA’s Transit Transformation Task Force meeting. Today’s discussion focused on the topics of new sources of transit funding, reporting/oversight, fleet management and ZE transition. 1/x

As the #CALeg session gets underway, I’m resharing my starter pack of CA advocates, transit professionals, and organizations shaping the discourse around public transit in our state. Let me know if you’d like to join! go.bsky.app/TgbzW1e

Happy first day of a new #CAleg session to those who celebrate! I made a Starter Pack that I plan to maintain w/ all of the current session legislators: go.bsky.app/52JpVv6 If you see any that I missed (I used Digital Democracy from @calmatters.org to just search for each name) please let me know

Easing into the start of the Legislative Session(s) with a music filled weekend — Sheila E. and Wicked in Oakland!

Pre-thanksgiving excursions ✅

Robust public transit is a key part of reducing the cost of living. Good transit allows people to get around at lower cost. Cutting transit service imposes immediate increased costs on people. We must shore up our transit systems & increase, not decrease, service. That’s a huge priority for me.

Not yet comprehensive, but getting this starter pack going to connect CA transit advocates. Message me with suggestions! go.bsky.app/TgbzW1e

Yesterday, we closed out the California Transit Association’s 59th Annual Fall Conference & Expo. With the support of nearly 800 attendees, we discussed strategies to move our industry forward on access to service, transit safety, ZEV transition, workforce diversity, and more! Proud of my team.