Committee hears broad public support for transportation-decarbonization resolution; item held for budget review

Members of the New Haven Climate Movement and dozens of residents urged the City Services and Environmental Policy Committee to back a Transportation Transformation Resolution that would set a municipal timeline and funding commitments to cut transportation emissions and expand transit and active-transportation options.

Prius and Emilia Lee presented the resolution on behalf of the New Haven Climate Movement. The group asked the city to establish a timeline to reduce transportation-related emissions by 25 percent by 2030, expand investments in public transit and active transportation, advocate for free bus passes and for major employers to reduce commuter emissions, fund dedicated staff and consultants, and provide annual progress reports from the Office of Climate and Sustainability. "By adopting the Transportation Transformation Resolution, New Haven can lead by example demonstrating their commitment to environmental sustainability, public health and climate justice through transportation," Emilia Lee said.

More than a dozen residents, students and local organizations testified in support. Speakers included Meredith Holt, who described transportation and evacuation barriers for people with disabilities, and Catherine Simmons, a Yale medical student who said reliable affordable transit affects patients’ access to care. Save the Sound, Sunrise New Haven, students and teachers also spoke in favor of the resolution and a $5 million capital allocation to accelerate safe-streets and transit projects. Remarks repeatedly cited Connecticut data showing transportation accounts for about 40–43 percent of statewide greenhouse gas emissions.

Committee members broadly expressed sympathy with the resolution’s goals but raised operational and budget questions. Chair Anna Festa and several members said parts of the proposal—particularly requests aimed at the New Haven Board of Education and staffing asks—would be best addressed through the upcoming budget process or in joint workshops with other committees. Alderman comments singled out three items for follow-up: coordination with the Board of Education on school-related measures, clarification of which new staff positions (grant writer, transportation planner, engineer) the city should commit to hire, and how the $5 million capital request would fit into the city’s existing multi-year capital plan.

The committee discussed two procedural options—amend and pass the resolution that night or hold it for further work and budget hearings. Members emphasized that department directors and finance/transportation staff will appear during the budget process and that public hearings offer opportunities to supplement the record. After discussion the committee voted to take no final vote that evening and keep the resolution in committee for additional information and coordination with the budget process.