Roundtable: Rethinking Transit In San Diego

Friday, February 15, 2019

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Changing San Diego’s transit plan to meet climate goals

The director of SANDAG is warning the agency may need to start from scratch on a long-term plan that can meet climate emission goals. Hasan Ikhrata says the region’s car-centric approach simply won’t get the job done and that a drastic overhaul is needed. Updates to SANDAG’s long-term plan carry some risks that could include a loss of federal money for local projects. Also this week, Governor Gavin Newsom announced a reduction in the scope of California’s high speed rail project.

Plaza De Panama project on hold

The multi-million dollar plan to redevelop the Plaza de Panama section of Balboa Park is in doubt. A nonprofit committee formed to organize the project ceased operations this week. The city of San Diego has been working on Plaza de Panama since 2012, but organizers say plans to create a more pedestrian-friendly space near the Cabrillo bridge are proving to be too costly.

San Diego County sues Trump Administration over asylum assistance

The San Diego County Board of Supervisors voted in a closed session this week to file a lawsuit against the Trump administration over the treatment of asylum seekers. Immigration and Customs Enforcement recently ended a policy that matches asylum seekers with sponsors, family or other support groups in the U.S. as they wait to have their claims processed. Supervisor Dianne Jacob says the change is an economic and humanitarian detriment to local government.

The urgency of addressing human causes of climate change has long been apparent. To amplify this issue that's paramount to us all, KPBS has launched a Climate Change Desk to step up our coverage of this existential threat including reported stories and interviews with experts and newsmakers.

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