PRESS RELEASE – FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Aug. 4, 2025
Contact: Colin Parent, (619) 567-6856, [email protected]
Circulate San Diego’s Releases Latest Report: “The Powerless Brokers: Why California Can’t Build Transit”
On Monday, Aug. 4, at 9 a.m., Circulate San Diego released its latest report, “The Powerless Brokers: Why California Can’t Build Transit.” Congressman Scott Peters and California State Senator Catherine Blakespear were the keynote speakers for the press conference announcing the release.
An online media briefing is scheduled for today at 1 p.m. for those who could not attend the in-person press conference, at us02web.zoom.us/j/81844006159.
Californians understand building transit is slow and expensive. What many do not understand is that even when public transit projects are approved by elected officials or through ballot measures by the voters themselves, transit authorities do not have the power to construct them. Before they can build, they must seek third-party permits from local governments, special districts, state agencies, and public and private utilities.
The Powerless Brokers documents the many third-party permitting challenges facing transit that are arbitrary, excessive, and avoidable. It also provides recommendations for reform.
The report includes case studies from across California documenting permitting issues that added costs and delays for needed transit projects. They range from the largest project in California – High-Speed Rail – to a small busway on the Central Coast. The report highlights a generally positive case study of SANDAG’s construction of the Mid-Coast Trolley, and details unusual statutory authorities enjoyed by SANDAG that have never previously been reported in the media.
“In Congress, I’ve been working to reform our permitting processes because it’s time to take action and treat climate change, California’s housing shortage, and our sky-high cost of living like the crises we say they are,” said Rep. Scott Peters. “Making it easier to build public transportation and homes near transit is a win-win that gives us more resources to invest – in our families, communities, and infrastructure. Thank you to Circulate San Diego for their work on this report to highlight how our outdated permitting laws are slowing down much-needed transportation projects.”
"Transit projects should be delivered quickly, on time, and on budget, but as this report shows, we're stuck in a system where processes are delaying the transit projects needed to connect communities and meet our air quality goals," said Senator Catherine S. Blakespear. "We need practical and meaningful reforms that maintain important environmental and community protections while empowering our transit agencies to build efficiently and quickly, without bureaucratic gridlock."
“Californians deserve affordable and abundant public transit,” said Colin Parent, the CEO and General Counsel of Circulate San Diego and the author of The Powerless Brokers. “The Governor and Legislature have the power to reform our systems, and ensure we get the transit we need.”
The report title is a play on Robert Caro’s legendary biography of Robert Moses, “The Power Broker.” While Moses was the infamous and unstoppable master builder of New York, many transit agencies in California struggle to build – they find themselves powerless.
Following many of the themes from the recent New York Times Bestseller “Abundance” by Ezra Klein and Derek Thompson, The Powerless Brokers details how many laws in California have created hurdles and veto points, limiting state capacity to get projects done quickly and cost-effectively.
Circulate’s report contains a variety of recommendations, including to:
- Reassign permitting responsibility from third-parties to transit authorities themselves,
- Incentivize local governments to prioritize transit, adopt transparent standards, and streamline permitting,
- Extend CEQA exemptions for sustainable transportation, and
- Encourage more transit leadership from Caltrans.
The full report is available at https://www.circulatesd.org/powerlessbrokers
Attached to this release is a copy of the report, a graphic of the cover page, and photos from the press conference this morning. Video from the morning press conference is available here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8ZDQq46dLF0
About Circulate San Diego
Circulate San Diegois a regional nonprofit think tank dedicated to advancing mobility and making the region a better place to move, work, learn and play. Our work focuses on creating great mobility choices, more walkable and bikeable neighborhoods, and land uses that promote sustainable growth. For more information, go towww.circulatesd.org.
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