Support for LAist comes from
Local and national news, NPR, things to do, food recommendations and guides to Los Angeles, Orange County and the Inland Empire
Stay Connected
Listen

Share This

This is an archival story that predates current editorial management.

This archival content was written, edited, and published prior to LAist's acquisition by its current owner, Southern California Public Radio ("SCPR"). Content, such as language choice and subject matter, in archival articles therefore may not align with SCPR's current editorial standards. To learn more about those standards and why we make this distinction, please click here.

News

Free Money For Not Using Your Car

Congress has cut federal funding for public media — a $3.4 million loss for LAist. We count on readers like you to protect our nonprofit newsroom. Become a monthly member and sustain local journalism.

()

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."

Support for LAist comes from

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.

As Editor-in-Chief of our newsroom, I’m extremely proud of the work our top-notch journalists are doing here at LAist. We’re doing more hard-hitting watchdog journalism than ever before — powerful reporting on the economy, elections, climate and the homelessness crisis that is making a difference in your lives. At the same time, it’s never been more difficult to maintain a paywall-free, independent news source that informs, inspires, and engages everyone.

Simply put, we cannot do this essential work without your help. Federal funding for public media has been clawed back by Congress and that means LAist has lost $3.4 million in federal funding over the next two years. So we’re asking for your help. LAist has been there for you and we’re asking you to be here for us.

We rely on donations from readers like you to stay independent, which keeps our nonprofit newsroom strong and accountable to you.

No matter where you stand on the political spectrum, press freedom is at the core of keeping our nation free and fair. And as the landscape of free press changes, LAist will remain a voice you know and trust, but the amount of reader support we receive will help determine how strong of a newsroom we are going forward to cover the important news from our community.

Please take action today to support your trusted source for local news with a donation that makes sense for your budget.

Thank you for your generous support and believing in independent news.

Chip in now to fund your local journalism
A row of graphics payment types: Visa, MasterCard, Apple Pay and PayPal, and  below a lock with Secure Payment text to the right
(
LAist
)

Trending on LAist