Assemblymember Chris Holden Celebrates Budget Approval For The Gold Line Extension

Thursday, Assemblymember Chris Holden celebrates the recent budget approval, helping to make transportation more accessible and supporting his continued efforts to expand the Gold Line.

“This extension is about getting our communities connected, and as they say, our efforts were delayed not denied. With the Gold Line extension back in the budget, we have the opportunity to keep our promise to our community while stimulating our economy and protecting our environment. It is a win-win situation,” Holden said.

Legislators in the Assembly and the Senate voted to put money allocated toward the Gold Line extension back into the budget, after it was removed earlier this year. Last year, $4 billion dollars was allocated in the Budget to expand the Gold Line project with $2 billion dollars impacting the Los Angeles area and another $2 billion dollars to connect the foothills. Due to a projected budget deficit for this fiscal year, Governor Newsom made the decision not to include the $2 billion dollars for the foothills in order to accommodate other budgetary needs.
Assemblymember Holden is happy to see this money re-established in order to complete this vital project.

Holden’s history with the Gold Line spans over 30 years. Prior to his election to the Pasadena City Council, Assemblymember Holden served on the Pasadena Light Rail Alignment Task Force established in 1985 to identify the light rail route alternatives in Pasadena. He is a former board president of the Burbank- Glendale- Pasadena Airport Authority where he served as a commissioner for 20 years.

“Our community has been fighting for this extension long before it was removed from the budget earlier this year and now is our chance to show up for the people,” said Holden. “For over 30 years, I have championed the Gold Line going back to my time serving on the Pasadena Light Rail Alignment Task Force when we were identifying the light rail route alternatives in Pasadena.”

“After decades, the time has finally come for us to unite these communities through the completion of the Gold Line. ”