Executive Director’s Monthly Report, July 2025

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California State Budget Reduces Barriers to Housing Production and Extends Deadline for Regional Early Action Planning (REAP 2.0) Program 

Earlier this week, the governor signed the 2025-2026 state budget, which includes a suite of reforms to reduce barriers to housing production. The two budget trailer bills, AB130 and AB131, include several provisions to streamline application of the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) to housing development. These reforms are consistent with long-standing priorities in SCAG’s legislative platform and provisions previously included in SB 607, which SCAG’s Regional Council voted to support.

The trailer bills also include a six-month extension for expenditures under the Regional Early Action Planning (REAP) program. This extension helps to make up for time lost during proposed cuts to the REAP program during the 2024 state budget process, which jeopardized SCAG’s $231 million in funding from this program, most of which had been granted to projects throughout Southern California. SCAG staff will work with California Department of Housing and Development (HCD) to determine how the time extension will be administered and how this affects SCAG’s timeline for delivery of the program. 

Executive/Administration Committee Kicks off the Year with Annual Retreat 

The Executive/Administration Committee met for its annual retreat in Long Beach on June 19 and 20. During the meeting, Regional Council President Cindy Allen went over the priorities for her term: housing, regional planning in preparation for the 2028 Summer Olympic & Paralympic Games, and clean transportation technology. The agenda also included presentations by Chief Planning Officer Sarah Jepson on emerging issues related to SCAG’s work, with focus on SCAG’s economic analysis and state climate policy, as well as an outlook for the year’s Regional Council and Policy Committee meetings. Chief Legal Counsel Jeff Elder outlined the Regional Council Policy Manual Amendments and Chief Government and Public Affairs Officer Javiera Cartagena presented on SCAG’s signature events. 

The full presentation can be found in the meeting agenda packet. 

California Transportation Commission Adopts Funding Programs 

At its June meeting, the California Transportation Commission adopted four significant funding programs:   

Active Transportation Program MPO Component 

The MPO component of the Active Transportation Program comprises $67.48 million, accounting for 40 percent of overall ATP funding, and is distributed by population to the ten large MPOs. SCAG, accounting for approximately half of this population, was allocated $35.023 million for ATP Cycle 7. The SCAG 2025 Regional ATP includes 15 projects and 113 contingency projects, spanning infrastructure, non-infrastructure (education and engagement), quick-build, and planning projects. 

At the same meeting, the Commission allocated funding for three SCAG 2025 Regional ATP projects, selected through SCAG’s Sustainable Communities Program. These include a transportation demand management plan for CSUDH and two quick-build projects in Los Angeles County and City of Covina. 

Solutions for Congested Corridor Program 

The 2024 Solutions for Congested Corridors Program (SCCP) for fiscal years 2025-26 and 2026-27 totals $482.8 million. This program includes $52.6 million in SCCP funding for SCAG and Metrolink’s jointly nominated project, the Metrolink Sustainable Locomotive Replacement Project, which will include procurement of 12 new Tier 4 diesel locomotives. 

Trade Corridor Enhancement Program 

The Commission approved adoption of 24 projects totaling $810.5 million in the 2024 Trade Corridor Enhancement Program. Including Caltrans nominated projects, 14 out of the 26 adopted projects are in the SCAG region, totaling $272.4 million. 

Local Partnership Program – Competitive 

The Commission approved 11 projects in the competitive Local Partnership Program for a total of $202.7 million in funding, including $24.9 million for LA Metro’s Zero Emission Bus Project—which includes the procurement of 34 new battery-electric buses to replace 34 Compressed Natural Gas buses currently in service on Metro bus lines. 

Revocation of California’s Clean Air Act Waivers Triggers Conformity Lockdown 

Due to federal mandates, California’s Clean Air Act waivers were revoked as of June 12. These waivers have significantly influenced clean air efforts and allowed the state to adopt and enforce stricter vehicle emissions standards than the federal government, subject to EPA approval. 

As a result of the new federal mandates, California and the SCAG region entered a “conformity lockdown”—meaning there will be no new regional transportation conformity determinations on Connect SoCal or the Federal Transportation Improvement Program (FTIP) until the California Air Resources Board (CARB) and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) can work together to approve a new emissions estimation model consistent with the latest planning assumptions.   

Although immediate impact is not anticipated given the current schedule for conformity determination for the 2027 FTIP and Connect SoCal 2024 consistency amendment, there is concern the lockdown could impact SCAG’s ability to advance project schedules in response to new requests, particularly those needed for the upcoming 2028 Summer Olympic and Paralympic Games. Given the uncertainty with the length of the conformity lockdown, SCAG staff are in the process of determining the breadth of projects potentially impacted and will provide updates as they become available. 

SCAG Releases Two New Reports on Expanding Access to Economic Opportunity in Southern California 

SCAG's two new reports– “Addressing Barriers to Economic Opportunities” and “Apprenticeships: Expanding Economic Opportunities in Southern California”–look at expanding access to quality jobs, training, and long-term economic mobility, especially for historically underrepresented communities.     
 
The “Addressing Barriers to Economic Opportunities” report identifies structural barriers, such as housing costs, limited transportation options, skills mismatch, and lack of affordable childcare. It also outlines targeted policy solutions like universal basic mobility, safer infrastructure, and workforce-centric planning.   
 
The “Apprenticeships: Expanding Economic Opportunities in Southern California” report highlights how apprenticeships can bridge workforce gaps and provide debt-free pathways to employment. Featuring case studies and strategies across industries, it offers recommendations to strengthen and scale apprenticeship programs across the SCAG region.   
 
Both reports were produced under SCAG’s Inclusive Economic Recovery Strategy (IERS) and provide a roadmap for building a more resilient regional economy. To read both reports, visit SCAG’s IERS webpage.   

Transit Transformation Task Force Final Report Expected This Fall 

Senate Bill 125 established the Transit Transformation Task Force, led by CalSTA, to develop statewide recommendations to grow transit ridership, improve the transit customer experience, and address long-term operational needs. Since December 2023, SCAG’s Executive Director, Kome Ajise, has served on the Task Force along with other Southern California representatives from Metro, Move LA, RCTC, and the UCLA Institute of Transportation Studies. The Task Force is currently developing a final report, which will be shared with the legislature in October 2025. 

In advance of the report’s release, SCAG is preparing a letter to CalSTA with input on the priorities to be included in the final recommendations—with a focus on funding. SCAG is currently soliciting stakeholder feedback to further refine the letter.  SCAG aims to submit the letter to CalSTA prior to the next Task Force meeting, anticipated August 1. 

SCAG Executive Director Kome Ajise Awarded Lifetime Achievement Award   

SCAG Executive Director Kome Ajise received the Heinz Heckeroth Lifetime Achievement Award at the California Transportation Foundation’s 36th Annual Transportation Awards Gala on June 12. Ajise previously served as chair of the California Transportation Foundation and was honored in recognition of his long public service career in transportation. 

The award is named for Heinz Heckeroth, who was Caltrans District 7 Director during the 1984 Los Angeles Olympics and founded the California Transportation Foundation, where he spent 30 years volunteering as the organization’s first Executive Director. A former Caltrans executive officer and now SCAG Executive Director, Ajise, in his remarks, said he is grateful to receive an award created to honor the legacy of an individual who made an invaluable impact on our region and California.   

SCAG Joined Transportation Leaders at the LAX Metro Transit Center Station Grand Opening 

SCAG joined elected officials and community stakeholders for the long-awaited LAX/Metro Transit Center station, which opened on June 6, marking a new era of transit in Los Angeles. After a decade of planning and four years of construction, the station promises to enhance connectivity for more than a million daily Metro riders. Executive Director Kome Ajise and Chief Government and Public Affairs Officer Javiera Cartagena joined Mayor Karen Bass, Former Mayor Eric Garcetti, L.A. Metro CEO Stephanie Wiggins, and Los Angeles County Supervisor Janice Hahn in celebration of Los Angeles' growing rail system.   

SCAG Joins Mobility 21 Legislative Trip 

SCAG Executive Director Kome Ajise participated in Mobility 21’s 2025 Washington D.C. Delegation Trip in early June, where Southern California’s transportation leaders advocated for shared priorities, such as the upcoming 2028 Summer Olympic and Paralympic Games, optimizing project delivery, and repairing Southern California’s transportation network. 

During the trip, Ajise met with several members of SCAG’s federal legislative delegation, including Representatives Laura Friedman (D, CA 30), Mark Takano (D, CA 39), and Salud Carbajal (D, CA 24). Ajise also met with key stakeholders and federal officials, including Shaz Umer, the newly appointed Director of Strategic Initiatives at the U.S. Department of Transportation. 

REAP 2.0 Lasting Affordability Program–$5M Disbursed to Century Affordable Development, Inc. Catalytic Development Fund 

SCAG processed its second REAP 2.0 Lasting Affordability Program payment directly supporting a regional lending program, disbursing $5 million to Century Affordable Development, Inc. (CADI) Catalytic Development Fund (CDF). The CDF is a revolving line of credit for programmatic investment in infill projects that are part of large master-planned communities or mid-size multi-phase developments. 

The REAP 2.0 contribution is expected to directly support financing for an estimated 984 affordable units, benefiting households earning between 30% and 70% Area Median Income (AMI). With this investment, the CDF now totals $14.6 million, creating a renewable and long-term source of funding for housing development in the region. This award brings the total REAP 2.0 program investments in revolving loan programs to $10 million to date. 

SCAG Represented at Annual NARC Conference 

SCAG attended the National Association of Regional Councils’ (NARC) Annual Conference and Exhibition in Seattle in June, which focused on promoting effective regional collaboration and solutions through educational and networking opportunities. Representatives of Councils of Governments and Metropolitan Planning Organizations—including executive leadership, professional staff, and local elected officials—shared best practices and learned about relevant issues. 

SCAG’s Chief Planning Officer, Sarah Jepson, joined a panel on mobility’s role in providing access to opportunities, such as connecting people to job centers and schools. SCAG’s Housing Manager, Ma’Ayn Johnson, presented on SCAG’s Regional Early Action Planning (REAP) programs’ impacts in reducing barriers to housing production. 

Regional Council Member Alan Wapner was re-elected to the NARC Board of Directors to represent the entire state of California. 

Go Human Supports Traffic Safety Events throughout the Region 

During the month of June, SCAG’s Go Human program supported three partners in hosting traffic safety events within the SCAG region. These partners included DEV Partnerships with their Juneteenth Jam in Rialto on June 19, Stronger Together Now for their Juneteenth Block Party in Downtown San Bernardino on June 20, and Active SGV at their Open Streets event: Mission at Twilight on June 22. Go Human supports partners across the region with funding for traffic safety, education, helmet purchases and distribution. 

Two Go Human-funded Partners Recognized at the Los Angeles APA Awards Gala 

At the Arizona State University Center in Downtown Los Angeles on June 26, the American Planning Association (APA) Los Angeles Section honored two Go Human-funded projects at their 2025 Awards Planning Awards Gala. Central City Neighborhood Partners received the Award of Merit in the Grassroots Initiative category for their project, Connecting Communities: Identifying Structural Barriers in Westlake, MacArthur Park and Koreatown. Los Angeles Walks also received the Award of Excellence in the Communications Initiative & Outreach category for their project, Safe Streets Advocates/Safe Streets Promotoras Office Hours. SCAG congratulates these partners for their achievements. 

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