Sac Moves coalition outlines priorities for future transportation ballot measure: fix-it-first, transit, safety and equity

Representatives of the Sac Moves coalition told the Sacramento Transportation Authority on Thursday they want a future countywide transportation measure to prioritize maintaining existing assets, improving transit service, funding safety projects and directing investments to historically neglected communities.

Dan Allison, representing Sacramento Transit Advocates and Riders, and Deb Banks, executive director of Sacramento Area Bicycle Advocates, said the coalition includes roughly 25 member organizations from environmental, transportation, housing and equity groups and that it aims to establish policy principles rather than endorse individual projects.

"Fix it first," Banks said, describing the coalition's top priority: state of good repair for streets and sidewalks and a performance-driven approach that includes pavement and sidewalk conditions. "We believe that people walking deserve the same level of recognition," she said.

The presenters said Sac Moves supports mode choice but expects a county measure to emphasize improved bus service, reliable transit, safe routes to transit, discounts for low-income riders and free K'12 passes. Allison warned against freeway expansion as a primary use of local sales-tax proceeds, arguing expansion induces travel and increases maintenance liabilities.

Safety was a repeated theme. The coalition called for Vision Zero-style investments to reduce fatalities and serious injuries, for funding both the development and implementation of safety plans, and for measurable performance goals to evaluate outcomes.

Presenters also urged aligning transportation investment with infill and economic-development goals to make multimodal corridors that support local businesses. "A lot of people say, well, how do you make a place successful? ... Make places more like the central city," Allison said, noting investments that support walkable, mixed-use corridors can spur economic resilience.

Board members asked questions about the coalition's membership and political status. Banks said Sac Moves is not a standalone nonprofit; it is a coalition of organizations meeting under shared values and does not have tax-code restrictions on activity. The presenters said Sac Moves is in the early stages of defining more detailed policy language and invited collaboration.

Directors offered a range of responses. Director Kent asked about balancing county economic needs and freeway capacity; the presenters replied that projects serving statewide or regional needs are better funded regionally or statewide. Director Rodriguez, a transit rider, said Sacramento's growth and sprawl create real challenges for making transit work in outlying communities and raised concern about getting effective bus service into neighborhoods. Director Talamantes and others stressed resurfacing and local roads are a top priority for many residents.

Public commenters largely supported investments in transit and multimodal options. Bassam Ibrahim urged investment in safe routes to transit and local connections; Troy Wilkinson cautioned against allocating more money to highway expansion and urged prioritizing alternatives. Steve Cohen (SMART) provided historical funding comparisons and suggested testing different percentage allocations in polling before finalizing a measure. Several directors emphasized the need for a "bold, visionary, and truly transformative" measure that voters will support.

Why it matters: Sac Moves's principles, if adopted or incorporated into staff or subcommittee recommendations, could shape the structure and priorities of any future ballot measure seeking local transportation sales-tax revenue. The coalition's focus on transit, safety, equity and repair aligns with ongoing staff work on outreach, polling and the legal framework for a measure.