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Assembly package restores transit and housing investments; limits greenhouse‑gas fund transfers to Cal Fire
Summary
The legislative package adopted by the Assembly Budget Committee restores major transit and housing investments that were zeroed out in the governor’s May revision, authorizes loans for Bay Area transit agencies and narrows proposed transfers from greenhouse‑gas reduction funds to CAL FIRE.
The Assembly’s adopted subcommittee actions include several measures aimed at stabilizing public transit and renewing housing and homelessness funding.
Transit: Members highlighted a $750 million loan authorization to Bay Area transit agencies — including BART, San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency, Peninsula Corridor Joint Powers Board (Caltrain) and AC Transit — intended as short‑term operating support. Assemblymember Wilson (transportation chair) called the loan a “critical lifeline” while also noting the legislature’s commitment to restoring $1.07 billion in greenhouse‑gas reduction fund (GGRF) dollars for transit through 2028. The package also allocates one‑time appropriations and staffing to plan and design transportation for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.
Housing and homelessness: Subcommittee 5 reported restored investments the governor proposed to cut to zero, including $500 million for the Low Income Housing Tax Credit, $120 million for the Multifamily Housing Program, and $500 million for the Homeless Housing Assistance and Prevention Program (HHAP). The subcommittee also reported adoption of two trailer bills addressing CEQA and infill streamlining to speed housing production, and a tax change to exempt wildfire settlements from taxable income.
Climate funds and Cal Fire: Budget Subcommittee 4 described an approach that substantially limits a governor proposal to transfer $1.5 billion from the GGRF (Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund) to support CAL FIRE operations. The legislature’s plan reduces that transfer to $500 million from GGRF and retains other commitments to transit and climate programs. Subcommittee chairs emphasized the need to balance wildfire response and climate program investments.
Why members cited the changes: Chairs said the restored funding reflects public testimony and local needs — housing and homelessness repeatedly surfaced in hearings — and that short‑term loans to transit agencies give them time to restructure operations while a regional funding measure is developed.
Advocacy and next steps: Housing and transit advocates that testified urged preserving and finalizing these investments in three‑party negotiations. Committee leaders said some allocations and GGRF decisions remain subject to further negotiation with the Senate and governor.
