candidate for State Senate, Senate District 03

Website: markleno.com

1. Do you support the creation of a bicycle/pedestrian/maintenance pathway on the West Span of the Bay Bridge (understanding that such a path is already being built on the East Span)? And will you actively support a bridge toll increase that includes an allocation to fund construction of the pathway?

Yes

2. Please list other proposals you would support to fund construction of the pathway on the West Span of the Bay Bridge:

There are other options available to fund the construction this pathway and other bike-friendly transportation improvements around the Bay Area. These options include but are not limited to funding from voter-approved transportation bonds and funding from sales taxes dedicated to transportation improvements. With proper planning, not only could we fund the pathway on the West Span of the Bay Bridge but we could potentially get a bike path included in the plans for the 4th Bore of the Caldecott.

I will consider sales taxes, but I should note that they are regressive and impact those with the least, the most.

3. Do you support increasing the Bicycle Transportation Account from the existing funding level of only $7 million per year, for the entire state, to at least $20 million per year?

Yes

4. Do you support AB 1358, the Complete Streets Bill, which would require city and county General Plans to account for the needs of bicyclists and pedestrians when designing their transportation plans?

Yes, I am the author.

5. The intersection of Market St. and Octavia Blvd., in San Francisco, has proven highly dangerous for bicyclists and pedestrians due to the frequency of drivers making illegal right hand turns onto the freeway onramp. Do you support AB 23, which would allow for camera enforcement of drivers making illegal right turns at this intersection?

Yes

6. Do you support congestion pricing in downtown San Francisco for the sake of moderating automobile use in the dense downtown area and as a source of funding for sustainable modes of transportation, such as transit, walking and biking?

Yes

7. Do you support AB 2744, which would authorize the Metropolitan Transportation Commission to work with stakeholders to develop a $7 billion climate protection program proposal, and bring it to Bay Area voters as Regional Measure 3? The program could fund a range of strategies to expand the use of transportation alternatives, from education programs like Safe Routes to Schools; capital programs that create faster, more reliable transit; incentives for carpooling; and bicycling projects.

Yes

8. Would you support a state law, similar to Oregon's Vulnerable Roadway User law (HB 3314), which would set significant penalties for drivers who hit and injure more vulnerable users, such as pedestrians and bicyclists?

Yes

9. Do you support the Safe Routes to School program, which funds better walking and biking routes to schools and encourages healthy transportation to schools? Do you also support maintaining this program at a minimum funding level egual to the current level of funding?

Yes, I was co-author. Yes

10. The current state budget crisis underscores the need for leadership on transportation issues statewide. Concerns over global warming, oil prices, and security show our need for smarter transportation choices such as mass transit and bicycling. How will you guarantee state funding for alternative transportation projects such as the Bicycle Transportation Account and other non-automobile transportation projects in the current fiscal climate?

There are a variety of solutions for fixing the budget woes of California and fully funding our transportation needs. The first/best step is to restore the vehicle license fee, which Governor Schwarzenegger rescinded at the beginning of his first term. This will save our state $$6.15 billion annually and significantly reduce our budget deficit. With this money, we can fund the Bicycle Transportation Account and other transportation initiatives. In addition, an upper state income tax rate and reassessing commercial property every five years would add billions of dollars and help fund important priorities like transportation, education and healthcare.

11. Have you championed or strongly supported any initiatives that are in line with the SFBC's mission of promoting bicycling for everyday transportation to create safer streets and more livable communities?

I am the author of the Complete Streets Bill, AB 1358 and I am committed to its passage. I was co-author of the Safe Routes to School Bill. As a Supervisor, I initiated and helped implement the revolutionary City Car Share Program, which offers an alternative to car ownership thereby reducing the number of cars on our streets. I am a vocal advocate for the SMART TRAIN Initiative, which has also been endorsed by the Marin Bicycle Coalition. Recently, I was honored to receive the legislator of the year from the California Bicycle Coalition.