OC Politics Blog | Category Archives: OCTA

The OCTA Board approves $1 billion balanced budget

Posted on June 8, 2015 by Editor Posted in OCTA, Orange County, Transportation Leave a comment

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: June 8, 2015

FOR MORE INFORMATION: Joel Zlotnik (714) 560-5713, Eric Carpenter (714) 560-5697

OCTA Board Approves $1 Billion Balanced Budget

The 2015-16 fiscal year budget includes sustaining bus service and delivering Measure M projects

ORANGE – The Orange County Transportation Authority Board of Directors approved a balanced $1 billion budget for the upcoming year during its meeting on Monday.

The 2015-16 budget encompasses all services, projects and programs that are administered by OCTA. Major initiatives for the budget include sustaining bus service levels without raising fares, continuing Measure M improvements and operating the 91 Express Lanes. Continue reading→

Laguna Beach land to be preserved through OCTA’s Measure M program

Posted on April 28, 2015 by Editor Posted in Laguna Beach, OC Parks, OCTA, Orange County 2 Comments

Aliso Canyon

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: April 28, 2015

FOR MORE INFORMATION: Joel Zlotnik (714) 560-5713, Eric Carpenter (714) 560-5697

Laguna Beach land to be preserved through OCTA’s Measure M program

To date, more than 1,300 acres have been acquired to ensure wildlife and habitat thrives for generations as vital transportation projects move forward

ORANGE – Orange County Transportation Authority officials purchased 151 acres of open space in Laguna Beach, marking the seventh property acquisition under the Measure M Freeway Environmental Mitigation Program – a comprehensive plan that preserves and restores natural habitats and allows for expedited delivery of freeway projects.

The Aliso Canyon property, purchased late last week for $2.2 million, was identified as a priority conservation area because of the diversity of habitat types found there, including chaparral, coastal sage scrub, and native grassland. This is the first time the program has been used to purchase land along the coast. Continue reading→

The failure of ARTIC is good reason to reject all Pringle-backed candidates

Posted on April 19, 2015 by Editor Posted in Anaheim, ARTIC, Curt Pringle, Kris Murray, Measure M, OCTA, Orange County, Taxes, Transportation 17 Comments

Anaheim’s new ARTIC transit center will run into a $2 million operating deficit by the end of June, and Anaheim officials will soon consider how to cover the shortfall, according to the O.C. Register.

Of course we all new this was coming. Former Anaheim Mayor turned lobbyist Curt Pringle drove the ARTIC project – and lied to everyone about the estimated use of this unneeded building.

Anaheim already had a functional train station, in the parking lot of Angel Stadium. They did not need ARTIC. And apparently the business community agrees as ARTIC has been unable to attract a sponsor dumb enough to put their name on the empty building, for the sum of over $160K a year. Continue reading→

The OCTA seeks applicants for the Measure M Taxpayer Oversight Committee

Posted on April 17, 2015 by Editor Posted in Lisa Bartlett, OCTA, Orange County, Taxes, Transportation Leave a comment

OCTA Seeks Applicants For Measure M Taxpayer Oversight Committee

By: Supervisor Lisa Bartlett

The Orange County Transportation Authority (OCTA) is seeking qualified volunteers to serve on the Measure M Taxpayer Oversight Committee (TOC).

The eleven-member committee monitors OCTA’s use of Measure M funds and ensures that all revenue collected from both Measure M1 (M1) and the Renewed Measure M2 (M2) is spent on voter-approved transportation projects. The independent committee was formed after the passage in 1990 of Measure M, a half-cent sales tax to fund transportation improvements in Orange County. Continue reading→

The OCTA seeks volunteers to serve on two advisory committees

Posted on April 12, 2015 by Editor Posted in OCTA, Orange County, Transportation Leave a comment

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: April 10, 2015

FOR MORE INFORMATION: Joel Zlotnik (714) 560-5713, Eric Carpenter (714) 560-5697

OCTA Seeks Volunteers to Serve on Advisory Committees

Applications for advisory committees are being accepted through May 8

ORANGE – The Orange County Transportation Authority is seeking community leaders to fill seats on its Citizens Advisory Committee. OCTA is also seeking volunteers who represent individuals with disabilities and senior citizens in the county to serve on its Special Needs Advisory Committee.

These 34-member committees meet throughout the year to provide input on a broad spectrum of transportation projects, studies and outreach activities and offer input to OCTA staff and its board of directors. Continue reading→

Spitzer gains adoption of a pension reform proposal at the OCTA

Posted on March 29, 2015 by Editor Posted in OCTA, Orange County, Pension Crisis, Todd Spitzer 1 Comment

Spitzer Gains Adoption of Pension Reform Proposal at OCTA

By: OC Supervisor Todd Spitzer

The Orange County Transportation Authority (OCTA) Board of Directors unanimously approved a pension reform proposal by Director Todd Spitzer to permit newly-hired OCTA employees aged 60 or older to opt out of a pension. The proposal had its origin in a pension system regulation that was ratified at the urging of then-Supervisor/now-Senator Patricia Bates, who is also a former OCTA Director.

“As far as possible under state law, this item helps move OCTA employees into 401(k)-style retirement plans,” OCTA Director Spitzer said. “Before this proposal was adopted, OCTA employees could not refuse to participate in a pension plan. Now, new OCTA employees who are at least 60 years old will be able to decide on an individual basis whether they wish to be part of a defined benefit pension plan or a 401(k)-style defined contribution plan.” Continue reading→