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Fall 2010

John F. Foran Legislative Award: State Senator Darrell Steinberg

When State Senator Darrell Steinberg (D-Sacramento) forged a coalition of environmentalists, builders, local government officials and affordable-housing advocates to propel Senate Bill 375 to passage, he linked California’s land use and transportation planning together for the first time. SB 375 aims to change how future development will occur across the state, using incentives to influence city and county growth patterns.

The “coalition of the impossible,” as the senator called it, was built over a two-year period and culminated in the signing of SB 375 by Governor Schwarzenegger in 2008. For his efforts, Steinberg is being honored with the John F. Foran Legislative Award, named for the former Bay Area legislator who authored the bill creating MTC in 1970.

Currently holding the top leadership post in the state Senate as president pro tempore, Steinberg was chair of the Natural Resources and Water Committee at the time of SB 375’s crafting.

Bill Cravens, the chief consultant to the Natural Resources Committee, credits Steinberg with its passage. “There are very few times when so many interests agree on a bill,” Cravens said. “The senator’s credibility was essential to the process. All the interest groups gained something, but none got everything they wanted. Everyone had to agree on the final text of the bill, and had to communicate that to the governor. The bill wouldn’t have happened without Senator Steinberg carrying the legislation.”

SB 375 aims to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from motor vehicles by integrating land use and transportation planning and encouraging development along already existing transit corridors. The law promotes environmentally friendly, compact communities with jobs, housing and services in closer proximity to one another, giving residents the option to leave their cars at home and to walk, bike or take transit instead.

Commenting on SB 375, Steinberg said, “There is a once-in-a-several-decade opportunity here to change our development patterns in ways that promote growth, promote affordable housing, maintain local control and at the same time are furthering our essential goals to improve the climate and to improve air quality.”
— Terry Lee

Video Profile: State Senator Darrell Steinberg

Video: Sen. Steinberg's acceptance speech

Transactions Fall 2010 Issue: Contents