LBPOST.com: Parking Bill Is A Tool For Discussion, Sen. Lowenthal Says

Saturday, March 13, 2010 | Home

Parking Bill Is A Tool For Discussion, Sen. Lowenthal Says

by Ryan ZumMallen | Long Beach News | 02.02.10 |

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11:15am | Following days of public criticism, State Senator Alan Lowenthal (D � Long Beach) says that the intentions of his bill examining free parking were misinterpreted by news outlets.

�Were being hammered as anti-business when this was sponsored by the business community,� Lowenthal told the LBPOST.com on Monday afternoon. �There was no business opposition to this bill until it came out in the LA Times.�

The bill in question � SB 518 (click here to download and read it) � is not meant to simply discourage cities from providing free parking, but encourages cities and counties to examine new ways to look at free parking. Lowenthal says that one of the driving forces behind the bill was AB 32, commonly known as The Global Warming Act, which requires the state of California to reduce greenhouse gas emissions to 1990 levels by the year 2020.

Lowenthal views the bill as a tool to encourage cities and counties to examine ways to manage their parking in order to meet regulations that they will be forced to adhere to by 2020. The bill, Lowenthal says, seeks to reduce regulatory oversight, and allow cities and counties � as well as businesses � to make their own decisions.

�We can either mandate that everybody do something, or we can go to some kind of market-based solution,� Lowenthal said on Monday. �Maybe because we have these [AB32] regulations we should give cities more flexibility in meeting those regulations.�

The idea that SB 518 seeks to eliminate free public parking is a misconception, Lowenthal says.

�I�d be upset too if they said the State is mandating you, and it�s coming to your town tomorrow. Tomorrow you�re going to get a bill for how many times you went to the grocery store,� he said, laughing at the absurdity of that theoretical situation.

Lowenthal reiterated his point that free parking is free only to the person parking, where the costs of parking lot construction and maintenance are passed on in the form of higher prices for goods and lower wages for employees. He said that reducing free parking will reduce �vehicle miles� and therefore cut greenhouse gas emissions and meet AB32 regulations that will come into play in 2020.

The text in SB 518 includes a points system that awards cities and counties for taking measures to reduce their vehicle miles. Businesses will also be able to earn points, or credits, and when 2020 comes and AB32 regulations are being enforced, cities or businesses that have received credits will be recognized for taking preemptive steps. He said that more will be known about the credit process if a cap and trade is put in place for AB32.

Until then, Lowenthal is optimistic that SB 518 will achieve its original goal: to simply encourage discussion and provide cities and businesses with voluntary options before AB32 mandates that they meet environmental regulations in 2020.

�Its up to them and we mandate nothing,� he said. �If we can do that voluntarily, then everybody benefits.�

Previous coverage: 01/29/10 - Senator Lowenthal's Anti-Free Parking Bill

Comments

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DK
Unique way to address a $20 billion deficit!

V
Good Ol' Alan. Always thinking of ways to raise taxes and fees on the worker bees. He just can't say it was a bad idea. Blame it on the press for misinterpeting his bill. There is always something else to blame.

Paul
This is part of Alan's soul. Mass transit and low income housing along the major routes. That is his and Suja's vision. It takes the independence that a car offers away. It makes us all equal on the bus or train. It would cut pollution overall to get us out of our cars, but the plan, unless done on a statewide scale would hurt Long Beach. Alan will back down on this idea. He did not follow through on a good idea of, "no net increase" in pollution at the Port, so this poor idea does not have a life.

Rick
The Senator and other public officials don't have to worry about parking or paying for it. With things as tough as they are for everyone else, only a government employee would come up with such a foolish idea. Makes you wonder what he's doing for us in the legislature.

Kathy Ryan
Hopefully by 2020, the environmentalists and unions will have lost their power, along with the Democrats. I hate to categorize people, but the Lowenthals can't balance a budget, so their role in Long Beach and Sacramento has been to come up with brainless ideas.

The Pill Man
Exemplifies why we need to go to a part-time legislature.

Randy LB Resident
Wow, can you imagine this is what we are paying Alan for! Why couldn't he just refer to the EPA's "Rideshare Incentive Program"? Is that too much to ask for? What we do not need is to keep adding more laws and regulations when we are so many that are on the books already but our elected officials are too afraid to implement them!?! Go figure! Once Alan reads what the EPA's program is all about he should thank me! The EPA's program is truly what Alan had hoped to in his reference to "Everyone Benefits..." Take a look at the program summary for yourself: http://sustainca.org/files/TSPuUSA-EPA.pdf

Jeremy Colonna
How is it possible for the press to misrepresent a bill? What part was misunderstood? Was it the press release that originated from his office, or the written wording of the actual Senate Bill? You know, when most of us want to create a tool for discussion, we do it through the many other means we have at our disposal that don't result in the creation of AN ACTUAL LAW!!! How much does it cost to put a Senate Bill forward? Perhaps the "S" in SB518 should be replaced with a "$".

Mindy
Did any of you even read the article? The bill doesn't force anybody to do anything, and it doesn't eliminate parking. It attempts to help cities get ready for the regulations that they will be hit with in 2020 because of AB 32. You're not being forced to do anything! I was skeptical at first too but the bill is just taking steps to get ready for the environmental regulations that were voted in several years ago and will be enforced in a few short years. It's not the end of free parking that you all apparently think it is

Jeremy Colonna
Uh, Mindy...if this most recent article is based upon a press release from Alan's office that states the press misrepresented the bill, wouldn't you be the only person (Including Mr. Lowenthal!) who apparently read the Times article incorrectly?

Ryan ZumMallen, Editor
Just to be clear, our information is based on a phone interview with Senator Lowenthal and not a press release. His point was that it seemed the Times reporter did not read the actual bill before writing the article. I can't speak to whether or not that is true but our article is based on having read the actual bill and our phone conversation. There was no press release. Thanks everyone

Jim
I wonder if Lowenthal ever heard of Massachsetts 2010 vote. The voters are getting tired of the whole Lowenthal family.

Bixby Knolls Resident
Market forces should determine commute and parking situations... not government officials. If there is money to be made in parking, mass transit or even driving your own car then allow the free market to do it's job. In NYC, San Francisco and Downtown LA, there is a reason it cost $20 an hour to park and why people use mass transit rather than commute. I don't need Mr. Lowenthal's Assembly Bill to teach me about simple economics. What I do find appalling, is that Mr. Lowenthal and all the other "Global Warming" zealots have determined that "free" parking is part of the answer to a non-existent problem.

John Greet
Hi Mindy, rather than simply reading the article we should all read the actual text of the bill as proposed by State Senator Lowenthal. This excerpt is copy- and-pasted directly from SB518 as proposed (with emphasis added): "This bill would **prohibit**, notwithstanding any other provision of law on and after January 1, 2011, the use of state funds to, directly or indirectly, subsidize the construction or operations of parking in California, except as specified, and for this purpose, the bill would define both the construction and operating costs of parking, the full cost of a parking space, transit intensive areas, and specify the exceptions to this requirement. A violation of the Vehicle Code is a **crime**. The bill would **require**, on or before January 1, 2012, a city, county, or city and county to adopt and implement, or have adopted and implemented, measures from a specified menu that achieve a total score of at least 20 points, based on the points associated with that menu to ensure that a city, county, or city and county manages its parking **so that the actual cost of a parking space equals its full cost, as specified**. By increasing the duties of local public officials, the bill would impose a **state-mandated** local program." Thus we see that there most certainly exist *local* mandates within the proposed bill and we also see that any parking space in the State (including Long Beach) that is built or operated, either directly or indirectly, with State subsidies cannot be operated for free and that the State will set the price. A good question, then, would be just how much parking in Long Beach was either built or is being operated, directly or indirectly, with State subsidies. My guess is quite a bit of it!

Summer
Uh, Jeremy... have you ever heard of the game telephone, or something called a popular-myth? Do you still think you can die from drinking poprocks and soda just because others believe it? Just because something is popular doesn't make it correct.

Shemp
With all due respect, I listened to Alan's interview with NPR when the story broke. It was clear that this bill was meant to end free parking in the State. Those listeners who called in understood it that way and he didn't correct them on air. THIS revisionist statement is really tortured and the real intent keeps breaking through. The similarity to "no net increase" is that both serve his staff's purpose of getting Alan a headline. As noted, however, the Senate has approved this PR piece. How do the people stop it?

Jeremy
Summer, I would hope that the professional journalists with the Los Angeles Times and LB Post would be in the business of taking accurate accounts of their conversations and interviews that they planned on ACTUALLY PRINTING AS FACTUAL ACCOUNTS!!! Way to go, though. I am sure the late Walter Cronkite would be thrilled were he alive to hear you compare his vaunted vocation to a childhood slumber party game! You should be proud.

R. U. Kidding
I cannot believe that this is even real. I'm not normally in to politics, but I am insulted by how dumb this is. It is not even worth masking in couched terms--it is just, plain stupid.

Paul
Bonnie Lowenthal as a Counciperson, parked her Prius in the red zone, at will in Long Beach. One of her first bills, if not the first, was for state legislators to have special plates for free parking. My thought is that they already have special plates? I stand to be corrected. Overall, if you want a free welfare state the Lowenthal's are your best bet. If you like more goverment rules, including guns, cars, hate crimes, etc. the Lowenthals are for you.

Artie
Every time I think our state legislators cannot do anything more to hurt our economy with their bundle of proposed asinine laws they come up with another doozy. Don't these politicians realize why companies and individual citizens who pay most of the taxes are leaving our state in droves? The desire for these power hungry politicans to control every facit of our lives is repugnant. As a Democrat myself I'm very disgusted with Lowenthal and the rest of our state legislators who are ruining life in Ca. and spending us into bankruptcy. I hope they're all removed in the next election.

G-L-O-R-I-A
Good save Mr Lowenthal ! That is exactly what i would of said too, "that is was to simulate discussion..." paraphrase...really what it seems like to me is that 'they're' teaching us how to make it thru...three choices for transportation-walking-biking-or taking the bus; we won't need to worry about carrying our groceries coz we won't be shopping at grocery stores, we'll be picking up our MRE,s at our doors. (MealsReadyToEAT) it could happen.

Mandy
It is time for all the Lowenthal's to be voted out of office. All incumbents need to be voted out. They create laws that pertain only to and protect themselves. I have no respect for any of these so called representatives.

clueless_in_LB
Write Something Nice To Your Special Lowenthal, hey Alan thanks for encouraging discussion on this stupid bill of your's, as you can see it's worked out real well. The concentus is that you're a -----, well I'll let you guess>

Dennis
Yesterday on my transported front porch I nominated this bill the dumbest legislation of the decade, and it came in the first of 120 months of the decade. For Alan to say we misread the intent is ludicrous. The intent is to offer cash strapped cities like Long Beach huge tax payer funded carrots like parking garages if they purge their cities of any free parking. You want to lower emissions from fossil fuel engines Alan? Support a part-time legislature and reduce the trips you and your fellow electeds and bloated staffs take to and from Sacramento. Further reduce "global warming" that you think exists by reducing the hot air produced in Sacramento that does nothing but increases government spending and your need for my money in the form of taxes.

Belmont Bob
How fast can Alan Lowenthal back peddle. Public opinion came down on him and now he is trying to rationalize his stupid error. Enough of the Lowenthal dynasty. We need some rational thinking in our state.

okgoplay
we need to support John and Ken's(KFI) push for a part-time legislature in California....as if California being the only place in the world with "global warming laws" will have any effect at all on the rest of the world...AB32 is a baaaaaad law that will hopefully be overturned before it goes into effect.

Angel
Alan has been our best Senator in Sacramento for years with his great bi-partisan efforts! But with all due respect, Alan's interview with NPR, it was clear his bill was meant to end free parking in the State. Please note that one the reason I avoid going downtown LB to give my business to restaurants is due lack of parking! So I go to Lakewood!Families can't ride bikes to get there!

Capster
Alan, with all due respect, you're an idiot! "Free Parking" is NOT free to the person parking. You even acknowledged that in your next statement. The costs I pay at the stores I patronize cover ALL their costs of doing business - yes even the space they have for me to park in. Are you really serious Alan? This is insanity! The way to meet the regulations is long range planning and implementation of a menu of things like better trip planning to reduce 5 different short hop trips around town to one trip, continuing reduction of fuels for miles driven, and better urban planning to reduce driving requirements, among others. DO NOT stick your nose into the free market parking provided by merchants and charged through in the price of goods. And quit trying to back pedal on your words and make your bill sound like something else. We need you out of office and out of our lives is what we need. My growing shift to anarchism is strengthened every time you open your mouth, and there are many more than I ever suspected who feel as I do!

Walkingthur
Lowenthal you're right in one thing you say, it's just a tool for discussion... and were all discussing what a big tool you are.

cstepanmoran
These proposed fees,regulations,stipulations, laws, rules, and other socialist tactics are the working of foolish, out of touch legislators. I feel like a subject in some ill concieved monarchy. Please get out of our way.

Frank Talk
I am never disappointed with the continual entertainment that the politicians in Sacramento give us and then they say it's our fault-it's all a misunderstanding-it was taken out of context!? Really, how dumb do they think we are? And they keep getting reelected! Alan has ALWAYS been a far left goose-stepper, even back in the day when he taught at CSULB. THROW ALL THE BUMS OUT AND TAKE BACK YOUR COUNTRY ALL YOU THINKING AND CONCERNED VOTERS!!!

Mike donavin
Nobody is buying your story Mr. Lowenthal. Even if the Times reporter got it wrong, your explaination I this story is still horrible elitist and socialist. The state govt should be encouraging free parking everywhere. And you should have your state car taken away to encourage you to walk to work.

Joseph E
What are you guys talking about? How is it "socialist" for cities NOT to subsidize parking? Wouldn't a socialist state subsidize everything? Free and subsidized parking provided by cities (such as the cheap, and empty, garages in Downtown Long Beach, and the crowded free street parking all over town) are anti-capitalist. In a real, capitalist system, parking would be fairly priced, and developers would build more garages if there was demand for more parking. I only have 1 car for my family. Why should I pay to subsidize your 3-car suburban lifestyle?

Long Beach Resident
I don't like the Lowenthal's as local politicians. I wish they would retire and move away. I have lived in Long Beach for 70 years and I have never seen 1 good idea come from that family.

Walkingthur
Long Beach Resident said: I have never seen 1 good idea come from that family. Hey if you really want a laugh try watching Councilmember Suja Lowenthal on city hall TV.

park
Hey,why dont we lobby for Boxer and crew to study the concept of no free parking anywhere in the US. We can then have mass transit and low income housing along all the major routes. Soon enough, we will all be low income. Oh, except all our great leaders.Revolt-vote. Kick the bums out.

Bob
Time for the Lowenthal clan (and, for that matter - all incumbents) to be replaced by regular, every-day, common citizens who care about the majority's needs.

Keith A
Again from the other page last time, If the new Long Beach Court House is built, how much will each person both employee and visitor, including my juror service need to pay to park there! Will the City, County, State or Feds reimburse juror duty service parking fees as well as days? What a joke? What all of the paper from those poor trees. What money costing valuable time to implement, interpret, enforce the gobble goop of such language of a SB. I believe it sounds more like an SOB to me. One more thing this will also impact any schools parking and those neighbors will not be pleased either? What teacher or student will pay to park in a public school lot. Some may pay fees at college already, but not the fees Mr. L wants. Even DMV neighbors would be upset, too.

Monkey Wrench
After this SB is passed I can say I used to be able to go the the public library and park for "free" or have a validation at the down town Long Beach public library. Not any more from this SB. Any public library will cost to park. Even to return a book. I will not be able to go to any of the public parks and take my child to play soccer. baseball either? That would cost, too to park at the "public park". Even to watch the concerts in the park will cost. This will cut back use of Parks and Recreation and Marine, and classes too. What a way to cut city, county, state jobs. I'll bet those unions are happy about that! The up side is that it will create alot of enforcement jobs for parking control! And someone to figure stats and points to be paid back from the State. The state already owes "education" money and not paying that. May be this is ALL a diversion from that problem!

retired educator
Mr. Lowenthal, your quote: “Its up to them and we mandate nothing,” he said. “If we can do that voluntarily, then everybody benefits.” sound like what "Long Beach way" in education. I believe the CA. Legislature owes LBUSD some money.

Below the belt
Alan Lowenthal, I thought you and your family were for the lower income families? How can any of us afford to pay more money? You will make us all "shut ins"

TV Bob
Just think if there is mandated paid parking at government offices, than the City Council Meetings and the Board of Education Meetings may have much smaller live audiences attendance. Distance learning such as TV and internet would be more valuable? It may be that persons from homes or other places would be giving public input? Mr. L don't even think of going there for dollars!

No Cents
Mr. Lowenthal, if I drive a small electric car with no bad emission AB32, why should I need to pay your parking fees? What about the handicapped? It is like the old bean and shell game. Your logic makes no sense. It is literally NON SENSE!

dick
this is a great source

rubber
hey i like eggs theyre good

ADF
i had to do a report on this for school. i don't give a crap! but i don't think its fair to have parking fees... :p

Long Beach News

LBPOST.com Managing Editor Ryan ZumMallen keeps up on all the current and breaking Long Beach news.

Ryan ZumMallen is a graduate of the CSULB School of Journalism, writing for the campus' Union Weekly newspaper and serving as Sports Editor for one year. He has written for numerous news and sports websites and magazines, as well as television experience with Fox Sports and ABC Channel 7.