Patch: “We are calling on CalTrans to come to the table this week with our City and our legislative representatives to develop an immediate plan to protect our community from the health and safety issues created by encampments on their land,” Mayor Hale said. “We are grateful to our legislators for their collaboration and responsiveness.” Senator Becker replied on Twitter: “I hear you. Thanks to you and the Council for calling attention to this. I have a meeting with the Director of CalTrans on Thursday about encampments and other issues and will use this example!”
In the News
San Mateo Daily Journal: Fixin’ San Mateo has also garnered support from a broad coalition of groups across the county: Belmont Neighbors Against Racism, Redwood City for Equity, Raging Grannies, Center for Common Ground, SF Peninsula People Power (an offshoot of the ACLU), Democracy for America, Law Enforcement Accountability Group, Unitarian Universal Church of Redwood City, Sisters of Mercy and many other top-level elected officials like state Sen. Josh Becker, D-San Mateo, and Assemblymember Kevin Mullin, D-South San Francisco.
San Mateo Daily Journal: State Sen. Josh Becker, D-San Mateo, introduced a bill to substantially reduce costs for affordable housing projects in the state by enabling affordable housing developers to make the best use of limited financial resources. Senate Bill 948 would shift the responsibility to hold a certain amount of money — what are called “transition reserves” — from the individual project level to a pooled reserve model operated by the Department of Housing and Community Development, according to his office.
Half Moon Bay Review: On the state level, Sen. Josh Becker, who represents San Mateo County, introduced legislation allowing all three San Mateo community colleges to provide tuition-free courses to students who qualify. “Increasing access to higher education is life-changing,” he said. “It is one of the most important things we can do for our residents to ensure economic mobility for our entire community.”
ABC7: News anchor Kristen Sze interviewed Senator Josh Becker on his Seamless Transit bill SB 917 in the second segment of the “Getting Answers” news program.
The Almanac News: State Sen. Josh Becker introduced a bill that would require Bay Area transit agencies to coordinate their fare structures and schedules in an effort to entice riders back to public transit.
Streets Blog SF: Senator Josh Becker introduced SB 917, the Seamless Transit Transformation Act, a new bill to create a more coordinated and integrated Bay Area transit system while improving the rider experience. “We must act quickly to entice riders back to public transit — and put the rider experience front and center,” said Becker. “This legislation will help transform our system into a world-class, seamless experience for the public while reducing greenhouse gas emissions and improving access to jobs and housing for residents.”
San Mateo Daily Journal: A bill aiming to create a more seamless integrated Bay Area transit system that works better for riders and ultimately draws more members of the public back onto transit was introduced this week by state Sen. Josh Becker. “Right now, riding transit in our region can be a disjointed and unreliable experience. This legislation will help transform our system into a world-class, seamless experience for the public, while reducing greenhouse gas emissions and improving access to jobs and housing for residents.”