Transportation Court Rulings and New Partnerships

Dear Friends and Neighbors,

Over the past two weeks, we’ve had major updates that I’d like to share with you as Chair of the CA State Senate Transportation Committee. These updates reflect California’s continued commitment to improving our roads, bridges and highways. 

U.S. District Court Ruling on Transportation Funding

California successfully led and secured a U.S. District Court ruling indicating that the federal administration cannot withhold funding to state and local jurisdictions who do not cooperate with its federal immigration enforcement demands. This most recent court ruling restores billions of dollars previously allocated for transportation infrastructure projects across the state and nation. You may read more about the court ruling on Politico. 

Caltrans and City of San Jose Cooperative Agreement

Earlier this year, I convened a meeting between former Caltrans Director, Tony Tavares, current  Transportation Secretary, Toks Omishakin, at the request of City of San Jose Mayor Matt Mahan, requesting that the state agency enter into a cooperative agreement that would authorize the city to directly conduct removal of blight and litter on Caltrans interchanges that are within the city’s limits. The agreement prioritizes 13 different sites. San Jose now joins 21 other cities that have signed onto similar agreements, including the cities of San Diego and San Francisco. 

The cooperative agreement responds to growing concerns among residents throughout San Jose who have expressed frustration and great concern over the increase of blight and litter along Caltrans interchanges. These areas have posed a threat to public safety. This cooperative agreement will provide additional staff capacity and resources to remove blight and litter more quickly while also helping people transition from a dangerous situation to stable, temporary housing along with supportive treatment and care. 

Since 2021, Caltrans has removed more than 19,000 encampments on state right-of-way and collected approximately 354,000 cubic yards of litter and debris through these cooperative agreements. From July 1, 2024 to June 30, 2025, Caltrans removed 115 unsheltered encampments in the City of San Jose – an increase of more than 50% from the previous year – and collected 9,200 cubic yards of debris. The agreement streamlines the process of clearing blight and litter at 13 Caltrans interchanges by authorizing the city to conduct removal operations directly.

As always, let me know your thoughts on how we may continue to improve our communities. 

Sincerely,

Dave Cortese, Senator
California State Senate, District 15