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Free Money For Not Using Your Car
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Photo by Salaam Allah West Coast Transitphotography KING! via the LAist Featured Photos pool
It sounds really boring: California Health and Safety Code Sections 43845. However, within that state code is a something pretty neat: if your place of work has 50 persons or more employed for them and subsidizes leased parking for your and your fellow employees, then they must participate in the Parking Cash-Out program offering you a cash allowance in lieu of a parking space.
"This program helps to reduce the number of cars on the road at the peak hours - driving to work in the morning and home in the evening. If we get even 4% of drivers off the roads during rush hour we will see a dramatic reduction in traffic," said Councilwoman Greuel who chairs the City's Transportation Committee in a statement released today . "We are using all of the tools we have to change LA's car culture and fight traffic congestion."
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In Santa Monica, where the green bean city has taken the extra step of enforcing the state law locally, the participation rate among businesses is 100% and claim that 20% of eligible employees are taking advantage of the program. In Los Angeles, there are a near 400 businesses that fit under the definition of the state law.
In an effort to improve compliance, the City Council voted unanimously to inform all Los Angeles businesses of the requirement to comply with the California parking cash out program, and to support statewide legislation to enhance oversight and enforcement mechanisms. Last month, the city walked biked their talk and complied with city law requiring bike parking and showers in new buildings over 10,000 feet. These facilities were installed at City Hall.
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