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Why the 'Safe Streets Bill' was Stalled

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Photo by Tom Andrews/LAist

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In a strongly worded post on StreetsbogLA, Damien Newton breaks down where support lacked for AB 766, dubbed the "Safe Streets Bill:"

  • Assemblymember and Transportation Chair Mike Eng, representing the San Gabriel Valley, only let the California Highway Patrol speak as expert witnesses. Lieutenant Carl Povilaitis of the Glendale Police Department, who has experienced too many pedestrian vs. auto accidents in the city, spoke during public comment.
  • Councilmember and Controller-Elect Wendy Greuel last week said she would travel to Sacramento to support he bill, but did not show.
  • The city's Department of Transportation sent a representative to support another bill during the hearing, but not one officially supported and sponsored by the city (with the Mayor Villaraigosa's concurrence).

Newton also points something funny and interesting out: Eng's press photo page contains three pictures, two of which display him in automobiles.

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