News

Third Quarter, 2025

The SCAG Economic Roundtable met for its third 2025 quarterly discussion on Aug. 21. Highlights included:

Dramatic demographic changes are reshaping age groups in Southern California.

Workers with immigrant roots—essential to fortify businesses, health care services, and critical housing construction—are becoming a less reliable source of growth. As the region’s population ages, the region will have fewer children to take on key adult roles. Looking to the future, the fundamental interdependence among all segments of the regional community is becoming more apparent.

In August, SCAG convened its second Regional Passenger Transportation Demand Management (TDM) Forum to share updates on planning efforts for the 2028 Summer Olympic and Paralympic Games. The forum featured partner agency updates, a presentation on TDM best practices for large-scale events, and an open discussion on next steps for developing a cohesive regional strategy. The inaugural forum in May introduced LA28’s mobility planning framework, the Games Mobility Executives (GME), and SCAG’s coordinating role in shaping the regionwide TDM approach.  

The 2025 Southern California Demographic Workshop, “Revisiting the Intergenerational Contract,” will feature noted professor and author Dowell Myers, Ph.D., as keynote speaker. Dowell Myers is professor and director of the Population Dynamics Research Group at the USC Sol Price School of Public Policy.

“Good Data, Stronger Tribes: Overcoming Native American Data Challenges in Southern California”—a new joint report from SCAG and Brooking Metro—examines persistent barriers to reliable data for Native American Tribes in the SCAG region and outlines a regional roadmap for change. Reliable data are essential for effective policymaking and community well being, yet Native American Tribes face persistent data challenges that undermine tribal governance and sovereignty.

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Ventura County Leverages REAP 2.0 Funding to Expand Affordable Housing Finance Tool

Using funding from SCAG’s Regional Early Action Planning Grant Program’s (REAP 2.0)

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Registration is now open for the 2025 Southern California Demographic Workshop, presented by SCAG and the Sol Price School of Public Policy at the University of Southern California.

SCAG recently created a new unsolicited proposal policy. Unsolicited proposals are written offers submitted to SCAG on the initiative of the proposer, not in response to any SCAG-issued solicitation. It presents a new or innovative idea aimed at securing a contract.

To qualify, proposals must offer pragmatic, value-added solutions that support or accelerate SCAG’s regional goals and must be distinct from projects already included in SCAG’s budget or work plan.

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California State Budget Reduces Barriers to Housing Production and Extends Deadline for Regional Early Action Planning (REAP 2.0) Program 

Earlier this week, the governo

The governor signed the 2025-2026 state budget, which includes a suite of reforms to reduce barriers to housing production. The two budget trailer bills, AB130 and AB131, include several provisions to streamline application of the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) to housing development. These reforms are consistent with long-standing priorities in SCAG’s legislative platform and provisions previously included in SB 607, which SCAG’s Regional Council voted to support.

SCAG has released two new reports that examine the region’s economic landscape and propose strategies to expand access to quality jobs, career training, and long-term economic mobility—particularly for communities historically underrepresented in the workforce. 

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Connect SoCal 2024 Implementation Update: Sustainable Communities Strategy Accepted

On May 7, the California Air Resources Board (CARB) informed

On May 7, the California Air Resources Board (CARB) accepted SCAG’s determination that the Connect SoCal 2024 Regional Transportation Plan/Sustainable Communities Strategy (RTP/SCS) meets the state’s greenhouse gas (GHG) emission reduction targets. CARB’s acceptance ensures transportation projects in the SCAG region remain eligible for all Senate Bill (SB) 1 funding programs. 

Second Quarter, 2025

The SCAG Economic Roundtable met for its second 2025 quarterly discussion on May 22. Below are key insights from the conversation: 

• The Economic Roundtable flagged a severe risk of regional downturn as tariffs, federal funding cuts, and collapsing consumer confidence pressure several key industries.

• In response, the Economic Roundtable emphasizes the importance of reinforcing Southern California’s core economic drivers, with particular attention to sectors weakened by recent technological and policy shifts.

SCAG received various program and project modifications to the 2025 Federal Transportation Improvement Program (FTIP), summarized as proposed Amendment #25-09, from the county transportation commissions representing Imperial, Los Angeles, Orange, and Ventura counties. The public review period starts on May 16 and will conclude at 5 p.m. on May 27.

A copy of the project listing is located on the SCAG FTIP website.

The SCAG Resource Lounge, part of two days of programming and events during the 2025 Regional Conference and General Assembly, provided space for attendees to explore SCAG tools, programs, and initiatives, with direct access to the regional planning experts from SCAG and local planners from around Southern California. With more than 900 local and regional leaders in attendance at the 60th annual event, the lounge allowed political leaders to connect and share with local and regional planners about the ongoing work to tackle some of the biggest challenges facing Southern Californians.

More than 900 local and regional leaders gathered in Palm Desert this week to celebrate SCAG's 2025 Regional Conference and General Assembly. This 60th annual event marks a milestone in regional collaboration while tackling challenges facing one of the nation’s most complex and diverse metropolitan areas. 

2025 Student Showcase winners were announced on May 2 at SCAG's 2025 Regional Conference and General Assembly in Palm Desert, California. SCAG Regional Council President Cindy Allen presented awards to Princeton Brooke from the University of Southern California and [winner TK] in the Audience Award category as well as Laura Messier from the University of Southern California and Manasi Vartak from the University of California, Los Angeles in the Jury Award category.

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General Assembly Elects 2025-26 Board Officers

The General Assembly voted to approve the nominations for the SCAG 2025-26 Regi

SCAG recognized seven innovative projects across the six-county region at the 2025 Sustainability Awards ceremony as part of the 2025 Regional Conference and General Assembly on May 1 in Palm Desert.