Easing Traffic Congestion

By Douglas Cleon "D.C." Taylor

Easing traffic congestion is one of my highest priorities. It is imperative to work with a myriad of solutions to "win the war on this problem in Southern California.

After talking with people in the district, one of the most notable complaints is traffic congestion; specifically, the 405/101 interchange. I have personally experienced this problem and have been baffled that it has taken so long to rectify. There has been recent work on this problem by our current assembly member. However, I believe this issue needs to be expedited. Too many people have missed flights at LAX and important business meetings because of this problem. I will make this my priority during my administration.

Many concerned citizens have indicated traffic is so bad throughout Southern California they have a small window of opportunity to go anywhere. As most who live in Southern California know Los Angeles ranked first in the nation for traffic congestion for the 16th year in a row. A rush hour trip takes 51 percent longer than a drive during off-peak times. That is a 31 percent increase from 1982. Moreover, six million more people are expected to move to the region by the year 2020.

According to Dan Beal, transportation policy manager for the Automobile Club of Southern California, there is no one solution to this problem but several solutions. Transportation experts have suggested these possible solutions:

1. New freeways and adding new freeway lanes.

2. Public campaigns persuading citizens to use carpools, buses, trains or bicycles.

3. The shifting of work schedules to create off-peak travel times for commuters.

4. Add ramp metering, synchronizing of traffic signals on surface streets.

5. Expeditiously clearing freeways of disabled vehicles.

The Metropolitan Transportation Authority plans to begin a rapid bus system within the next year. This system would run on surface streets and allow buses to turn traffic lights green as they approach according to Metropolitan authorities. The MTA will be testing the project in June along Ventura Boulevard from Warner Center to University City.

Although there are many pressing issues to be resolved, I believe this area to be critical. Southern California is a beautiful place to live but is marred by this aggravating, constant impediment to enjoying living in the region.

Finally, under the Republican "20/20 Vision Plan", which is plan for "main" street not Wall Street, traffic congestion can be battled head on without raising a penny of your taxes.

The 20/20 Vision Plan is the Republican answer to the Dmocrat's proposed tax increase for California's infrastructiure gridlock. While my opponents across the aisle want to increase taxes, sell bonds, and mortugage our children's future to build raoads, Republican envision a common sense solutio to our infrasturucture needs: pay with existing revenue.

Our Republican team of visionaries propose, instead of borrowing for infrastructure needs and placing the heavy burden of debt on our children, the state legislature earmark $125 billion for transportation and other public works out of growth in the state budget during the next 20 years. This is about 8 cents of every dollar of growth in teh state budget.

The funding will start next year at 1% fo the state general fund and increase by 1/2 percent a year up to 5 %. The plan also calls for local control with monies to be distributed by city and county governments.

The actual language of the 20/20 vision plan will be illustrated in ACA 24 (Baugh) and would allow voters to approve the 20/20 vision plan.

Thank you very much for helping our district to be number one in California.

D.C. Taylor Republican Nominee, 42nd Assembly District http://www.dctaylor4abetterfuture.com 310.508.4416