Candidate for
City; City of Sacramento; Council District 3

Steve Cohn was first elected to the Sacramento City Council in November 1994. He was re-elected in 1998 and again in March 2002. He also served as Vice Mayor in 1998.

Steve's vision for Sacramento is that it should be the most livable city in America with excellent schools and libraries, abundant parks and open spaces; a dynamic Central City and business districts; vibrant arts, sports and cultural attractions; and safe, quality, tree-lined neighborhoods within walking distance or a transit stop from everything you need.

Since joining the Council, Steve has worked to achieve this long-term vision of Sacramento by building upon its greatest resources: quality neighborhoods; distinctive architectural, political and natural heritage, and diverse population. He strongly believes in a conservation ethic, using our limited public resources wisely and efficiently to improve the quality of life in our neighborhoods, business districts, City and region.

Steve has been a regional leader in promoting smart pedestrian and transit-oriented growth such as the Midtown renaissance and the 65th Street/Sac State Transit Village Plan, expanding train service from the Bay Area to Sacramento, planning a new intermodal center (Sacramento Valley Station) Downtown, improving Sacramento's flood protection, adopting Campaign Finance Reform, establishing energy efficiency and environmental standards, and promoting more efficient and responsive local government.

Steve has also had much success on specific projects within his Council district, including state-of-the-art infill development, Downtown housing, the Pops in the Park evening concert series, installation of "acorn" street lights in many neighborhoods, renovations of neighborhood parks and public spaces such as the recent 48th & M Street Fountain, funding for youth sports, and improving local schools.

As part of his council duties, Steve is a Board member (and past Chair) of Regional Transit, Sacramento Area Flood Control Agency and Capitol Corridor (Rail) Joint Powers Authority. He is Chair of the Sacramento Regional Arts Financing Authority. Steve also served as Chairman of the Board of the Sacramento Transportation Authority, Sacramento Regional Solid Waste Authority and the Sacramento Public Library Authority, the Law and Legislation Committee and as a Board member of the Sacramento Area Council of Governments, Sacramento Metropolitan Cable Television Commission, Welfare-to-Work Policy Board, Northern California World Trade Center, SACTO (alt) and the Sacramento County Water Board.

Steve earned his bachelor's degree from Yale University in 1975 and his law degree (magna cum laude) from the University of San Diego in 1979. Steve was a Fulbright Scholar in France in 1975-76 and received a Diplôme de Langues et Lettres Françaises from the Université d'Aix-Marseilles. He served as Assistant General Counsel and Hearing Officer with the California Energy Commission and as a volunteer Judge Pro Tem in the Sacramento Small Claims Court. Steve is currently the Chief Assistant General Counsel for the Sacramento Municipal Utility District, where he has worked since 1992.

Steve and his wife Catherine Travers have two children, Nicole, a recent UCLA graduate, and Adam, a Sacramento City College student. They live near McKinley Park in East Sacramento.

Steve has received several civic awards, including the 2001 Sacramento Metropolitan Chamber of Commerce's City Elected Official of the Year Award, the Sierra Club Award for Civic Courage and the East Sacramento Improvement Association Orchid Award for Community Service.