SENIOR ASSEMBLY PROPOSAL NO. 1

INTRODUCED BY SENIOR ASSEMBLY MEMBER PURCELL

(COAUTHOR: SENIOR ASSEMBLY MEMBER KIRWIN)

(COAUTHOR: SENIOR SENATOR LONG)

LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST

AP 1: TRANSPORTATION: SENIORS.

EXISTING LAW PROVIDES FOR THE ESTABLISHMENT IN EACH COUNTY OF A SOCIAL SERVICES TRANSPORTATION ADVISORY COUNCIL TO IDENTIFY TRANSIT NEEDS OF SENIORS, THE HANDICAPPED, AND PERSONS OF LIMITED MEANS WITHIN THE COUNTY, AND TO REVIEW AND RECOMMEND ACTION BY THE TRANSPORTATION PLANNING AGENCY FOR THE AREA, AS SPECIFIED.

THIS MEASURE WOULD MEMORIALIZE THE LEGISLATURE AND THE GOVERNOR TO MAKE FREE PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION AVAILABLE FOR SENIORS IN ALL COMMUNITIES AND WOULD FUND THIS FREE TRANSPORTATION FOR SENIORS BY IMPOSING A TAX OF $3 ON NEW AND RENEWED DRIVER’S LICENSES.

VOTE: 2/3.

AP 1: RELATING TO TRANSPORTATION

WHEREAS, THE NUMBER OF SENIORS WHO HAVE UNMET TRANSPORTATION NEEDS IS GROWING DAILY; AND

WHEREAS, SENIORS ARE GIVING UP OR LOSING THEIR DRIVER’S LICENSES FOR MEDICAL OR FINANCIAL REASONS AND THUS ARE MORE RELIANT ON PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION; AND

WHEREAS, AWHILE SOME COMMUNITIES PROVIDE SENIORS WITH FREE OR REDUCED COST RIDES ON LOCAL TRANSIT, TRANSPORTATION FOR SENIORS IN OTHER COMMUNITIES IS EITHER INADEQUATE, NONEXISTENT, OR PROHIBITIVELY EXPENSIVE; AND

WHEREAS, THERE IS AN UNMET NEED IN MOST COMMUNITIES FOR INEXPENSIVE TRANSPORTATION FOR SENIORS TO ATTEND MEDICAL APPOINTMENTS, SHOPPING MALLS, RELIGIOUS MEETINGS, AND OTHER SOCIAL ACTIVITIES; AND

WHEREAS, MANY SENIORS FOREGO OBTAINING MEDICAL TREATMENT, PRESCRIPTION DRUGS, OR FOOD ITEMS BECAUSE THEY CANNOT AFFORD THE COST OF TRANSPORTATION NEEDED TO OBTAIN THE MEDICAL TREATMENT, PRESCRIPTION DRUGS, OR FOOD ITEMS; AND

WHEREAS, PROVIDING FREE TRANSPORTATION TO SENIORS WILL ENABLE SENIORS TO OBTAIN MORE EASILY THE GOODS AND SERVICES THEY NEED TO ENHANCE THEIR QUALITY OF LIFE; AND

WHEREAS, PROVIDING FREE TRANSPORTATION TO SENIORS SO THAT THEY MAY PERFORM OR ACCOMPLISH THE VARIOUS ACTIVITIES AND FUNCTIONS OF THEIR LIVES WILL REBOUND TO THE BENEFIT OF SENIORS, BY POSITIVELY STIMULATING SENIORS MENTALLY, EMOTIONALLY, AND PHYSICALLY; NOW, THEREFORE,
BE IT

RESOLVED, BY THE SENIOR ASSEMBLY AND THE SENIOR SENATE, JOINTLY, THAT THE SENIOR LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA AT ITS 2008 REGULAR SESSION, A MAJORITY OF THE MEMBERS VOTING THEREFOR, HEREBY PROPOSES TO (1) MAKE FREE PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION AVAILABLE FOR SENIORS IN ALL COMMUNITIES, INCLUDING COMMUNITIES IN WHICH TRANSPORTATION IS CURRENTLY INADEQUATE, NONEXISTENT, OR PROHIBITIVELY EXPENSIVE; AND (2) FUND THIS FREE TRANSPORTATION FOR SENIORS IN ALL COMMUNITIES BY IMPOSING A TAX OF $3 ON EVERY NEW AND RENEWED DRIVER’S LICENSE; AND BE IT FURTHER

RESOLVED, THAT THE SENIOR LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA RESPECTFULLY MEMORIALIZES THE LEGISLATURE AND THE GOVERNOR OF THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA TO ENACT APPROPRIATE LEGISLATION THAT WOULD ADDRESS THE CONCERNS SET FORTH IN THIS MEASURE; AND BE IT FURTHER

RESOLVED, THAT A COPY OF THIS MEASURE BE TRANSMITTED TO THE SPEAKER OF THE ASSEMBLY, THE PRESIDENT PRO TEMPORE OF THE SENATE, AND THE GOVERNOR OF THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA.

RN 08 22123

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