Assemblywoman Wilson hosts San Bernardino County Regional Transportation Funding Town Hall

REDLANDS, CA - Assemblywoman Lori D. Wilson (D-Suisun City), Chair of the Assembly Transportation Committee, convened local leaders, transportation officials, and community members Monday at the University of Redlands for a regional town hall focused on California's long-term transportation funding needs.

The October 5 town hall continued a series of regional conversations led by Assemblywoman Wilson to hear directly from communities about their transportation priorities and how California can maintain a transportation funding system that is fair, accountable, and affordable.

"California's transportation needs are different from region to region, which is why it is so important that we hear directly from communities across the state," said Assemblywoman Lori D. Wilson. "San Bernardino County and the Inland Empire have unique transportation needs, particularly for residents who travel long distances to get to work. Their experiences need to be part of the conversation as we work toward a long-term solution that keeps transportation affordable and provides reliable funding for the infrastructure Californians depend on."

Assemblywoman Wilson was joined by Otis Greer, Deputy Executive Director of the San Bernardino County Transportation Authority; Aaron Hake, Executive Director of the Riverside County Transportation Commission; Dan Chia of the Assembly Transportation Committee; and Frank Jimenez, Principal Fiscal and Policy Analyst with the nonpartisan Legislative Analyst's Office. Panelists discussed regional transportation priorities, declining transportation revenue, long-term funding and accountability, and opportunities to improve project delivery.

California faces a projected transportation funding loss of approximately $31 billion over the next decade, according to the California Transportation Commission. Fuel taxes remain a critical source of funding for road repairs, safety improvements, bicycle and pedestrian infrastructure, and transit systems, but that revenue is declining as vehicles become more fuel-efficient and more Californians transition away from gasoline-powered vehicles.

As California considers potential alternatives, Assemblywoman Wilson has emphasized the importance of finding a long-term, revenue-neutral solution that accounts for what drivers already pay and avoids charging Californians twice for the same road use. Fairness is particularly important in the Inland Empire, where many residents are "super-commuters" who travel more than 90 minutes to work each day. Six communities in San Bernardino and Riverside counties rank among the nation's top 20 for super-commuters, and nearly 40% of super-commuters drive vehicles that get fewer than 20 miles per gallon, meaning they are contributing more to maintain the transportation system than drivers of newer, more fuel-efficient and zero-emission vehicles.

"Reliable transportation is essential to connecting families, businesses, and communities throughout the Inland Empire," said Mario Saucedo, Mayor, City of Redlands. "We appreciate being a part of this continuing conversation to keep our transportation system safe and reliable for everyone who lives and works in our community."

Feedback gathered in San Bernardino County, along with input from other regional meetings across the state, will help inform ongoing discussions in Sacramento about the future of California's transportation funding system.

"We know California needs a long-term solution, but how we get there matters," Assemblywoman Wilson added. "It must be fair and affordable for drivers, accountable to taxpayers, and responsive to the different ways Californians use our transportation system. I'm grateful to everyone who joined us and shared their experiences. Their input will help guide this work as we continue these conversations in Sacramento."

###