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Our Analysis of the Measure M Draft Guidelines

After Measure M — the $120 billion transportation measure approved by LA County voters in November 2016 — passed, we asked our readers: how do we guarantee that current and future generations of families, especially in low-income neighborhoods, benefit and thrive with Measure M’s investments?

We heard loud and clear (and we strongly agree): we have to “bake in” equity into all of Metro’s programs, policies, and investments — this is one of the core concepts of our #JustGrowth work group.

The Measure M draft guidelines, released last month by Metro, is one of the first places to start (for background, read our recommendations from back in January) — and today, we’re proud to release our analysis for your feedback and review.

Please click here to read our analysis.

The Measure M guidelines are the first opportunity to review Metro’s approach to implementing the promises made to voters to invest in building a safe, sustainable, and reliable transportation network for the region. Investing in Place reviewed these draft guidelines with an eye toward integrating the policy best practices we care about — including data-driven decision-making, prioritizing the needs of vulnerable communities, and valuing public participation — into all Measure M projects and programs.

In our report, we provide an overview of the guidelines and their role in implementation, highlight aspects we are excited about, and recommend improvements to ensure Measure M stays true to the progressive ideals that led to its passage.

We provided a suite of policy recommendations to ensure Measure M lives up to its potential during implementation. We believe Metro should:

  • Ensure all projects and programs funded by Measure M comply with Metro’s Complete Streets Policy;
  • Prioritize traffic safety–particularly for people walking and biking–in all funding programs for streets and highways;
  • Set clear objectives for each program in line with regional performance metrics;
  • Require transparency and public participation in all project development and prioritization processes;
  • Dedicate funding for countywide active transportation programs, including open streets, bike share operations, bike safety education, and safe routes to school non-infrastructure programs; and
  • Support innovation in the Multiyear Subregional Programs by expanding eligibility for planning, data collection, project development, and transportation demand management (TDM) and building capacity at each council of governments (COG).

To read our policy analysis, please click here.

Next Steps

On Wednesday, April 5th 1pm, Metro’s Policy Advisory Council will meet for the first time to discuss, among many things, the Measure M draft guidelines. We encourage you to attend and provide feedback. The meeting will take place on the 15th floor of Metro’s Headquarters (1 Gateway Plaza). These meetings are open to the public. Metro is accepting public comments on the draft guidelines through May 26th — we encourage all our partners to weigh in by emailing feedback to theplan@metro.net.

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Estolano Advisors

Richard France

Richard France assists clients with strategic planning, visioning, and community and economic development. He is a strategic planner at Estolano Advisors, where he has been involved in a variety of active transportation, transit-oriented development, climate change resiliency, and equitable economic development projects. His work in active transportation includes coordinating a study to improve bike and pedestrian access to transit oriented districts for the County of Los Angeles, and working with the Southern California Association of Governments to host tactical urbanism events throughout the region. Richard also serves as a technical assistance provider for a number of California Climate Investment programs, including the Affordable Housing Sustainable Communities, Transformative Climate Communities, and Low Carbon Transit Operations programs. He has also taught at the UCLA Luskin School of Public Affairs. Richard received a Bachelor of Environmental Design from the University of Colorado at Boulder, and his M.A. in Urban Planning from UCLA.

Accelerator for America, Milken Institute

Matt Horton

Matt Horton is the director of state policy and initiatives for Accelerator for America. He collaborates with government officials, impact investors, and community leaders to shape infrastructure, job creation, and equitable community development efforts. With over fifteen years of experience, Matt has directed research-driven programs and initiatives focusing on housing production, infrastructure finance, access to capital, job creation, and economic development strategies. Previously, he served as the director of the California Center at the Milken Institute, where he produced research and events to support innovative economic policy solutions. Matt also has experience at the Southern California Association of Governments (SCAG), where he coordinated regional policy development and planning efforts. He holds an MA in political science from California State University, Fullerton, and a BA in history from Azusa Pacific University. Additionally, Matt serves as a Senior Advisor for the Milken Institute and is involved in various advisory boards, including Lift to Rise and WorkingNation.

UCLA Lewis Center for Regional Policy Studies

Madeline Brozen

Madeline is the Deputy Director of the UCLA Lewis Center for Regional Policy Studies at the Luskin School of Public Affairs. She oversees and supports students, staff, and faculty who work on planning and policy issues about how people live, move, and work in the Southern California region. When not supporting the work of the Lewis Center community, Madeline is doing research on the transportation patterns and travel needs of vulnerable populations in LA. Her recent work includes studies of low-income older adults in Westlake, public transit safety among university students, and uncovering the transportation needs of women, and girls in partnership with Los Angeles public agencies. Outside of UCLA, Madeline serves as the vice-chair of the Metro Westside Service Council and enjoys spending time seeing Los Angeles on the bus, on foot, and by bike.

Office of Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass

Luis Gutierrez

Luis Gutierrez, works in the Office of Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass, as the Director of Energy & Water in the Office of Energy and Sustainability (MOES), Luis oversees issues related to LA’s transition to clean energy, water infrastructure, and serves as the primary liaison between the Mayor’s Office and the Department of Water and Power. Prior to joining MOES, Luis managed regulatory policy proceedings for Southern California Edison (SCE), focusing on issues related to equity and justice. Before joining SCE, Luis served as the Director of Policy and Research for Inclusive Action for the City, a community development organization dedicated to economic justice in Los Angeles. Luis holds a BA in Sociology and Spanish Literature from Wesleyan University, and a Master’s Degree in Public Administration from Cal State LA.

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Communications Strategist

Kim Perez

Kim is a writer, researcher and communications strategist, focused on sustainability, urban resilience and safe streets. Her specialty is taking something complex and making it clear and compelling. Harvard-trained in sustainability, she won a prize for her original research related to urban resilience in heat waves—in which she proposed a method to help cities identify where pedestrians spend a dangerous amount of time in direct sun, so they can plan for more equitable access to shade across a city.

jessica@investinginplace.org

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EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

Jessica Meaney

For over almost two decades, Jessica has led efforts in Los Angeles to promote inclusive decision-making and equitable resource allocation in public works and transportation funding. Jessica’s current work at Investing in Place is grounded in the belief that transparent and strategic prioritization of public funds can transform Los Angeles into a city where inclusive, accessible public spaces enrich both livability and well-being. As a collaborator and convener, Jessica plays a role in facilitating public policy conversations and providing nuanced insights into the interplay of politics, power, and process on decision-making and fiscal allocations.