Schwarzenegger wants ads on official signs

Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger has resurrected an idea to convert California's overhead freeway displays into electronic advertising billboards.

His administration first floated the idea in 2008, but the proposal faced significant opposition from leaders in Congress, including Sen. Dianne Feinstein. The proposal would need approval by the U.S. Department of Transportation before it could be implemented.

In Scenic America's view, this proposal is completely illegal and violates the law in several ways. There are also enormous inherent traffic safety issues with digital signs directly on the right of way.

Click here to download Scenic America's position paper on this proposal.

Attention California residents: click here to voice your opposition to this idea.

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Judge invalidates L.A. billboard settlement

A Los Angeles County Superior Court judge has struck down the 2006 settlement between the city of Los Angeles and two billboard companies, CBS Outdoor and Clear Channel Outdoor. Among other things, the settlement allowed the companies to convert as many as 840 billboards into digital signs. 

A third billboard company had sued the city, claiming that the settlement with the two outdoor giants was illegal because it allowed changes that were barred under a city law intended to ban new billboards in Los Angeles.

The city must now determine whether to revoke the permits for digital billboards already erected under this settlement. At least one city councilman has asked the city to require the billboard companies to convert their digital signs back to conventional billboards.

For more information on the billboard battles in Los Angeles visit the website of L.A.-based Ban Billboard Blight.

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San Francisco residents reject proposal for sign district

The voters of San Francisco have rejected a proposal to create a sign district along one of their most historic corridors.

The efforts of San Francisco Beautiful were essential in defeating Prop D, which would have allowed large digital signs along a stretch of Market Street. 

Voters also embraced Prop E, which will prohibit additional advertising on public spaces in San Francisco.

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Scenic America responds to proposed Florida pilot project on Interstate 75

Scenic America President Mary Tracy has submitted a letter to Florida Department of Transportation officials in response to a request for comments regarding a proposed pilot project along Interstate 75.