TO: AC Transit Board of Directors
FROM: Michael A. Hursh, General Manager
SUBJECT: Draft 2022 Federal and State Legislative Advocacy Programs
BRIEFING ITEM
RECOMMENDED ACTION(S):
Title
Consider receiving a report on the Draft 2022 Federal and State Legislative Advocacy Programs.
Body
STRATEGIC IMPORTANCE:
Goal - Strong Public and Policymaker Support
Initiative - Financial Efficiency and Revenue Maximization
The annual state and federal advocacy programs help the District track state, regional and federal legislation to ensure alignment with the District’s Strategic Plan and the specific goal of having strong public and policymaker support. Policy decisions at all levels of government can positively or negatively affect District operations and as such are important to track and influence as needed.
BUDGETARY/FISCAL IMPACT:
There is no budgetary or fiscal impact associated with this report.
BACKGROUND/RATIONALE:
Each year the AC Transit Board of Directors adopts advocacy programs to provide guidance for the District's activities in Washington, D.C. and Sacramento to influence transit legislation, appropriations, and administrative matters at the State and Federal levels. The attached draft programs for 2022 address on-going efforts as well as developing issues for the coming year.
Staff solicited input to develop the attached Federal and State advocacy programs from staff and executives. The draft program was presented to the Accessibility Advisory Committee (AAC) on September 14, 2021. Draft programs were also distributed to advocacy groups and the District's planning and funding partners to solicit feedback.
This year’s advocacy programs have been streamlined and reformatted to better reflect the District’s strategic priorities. For example, redundant entries have been consolidated and examples of specific programs and/or codes have been eliminated in favor of language that captures broad concepts. Additionally, key dates on the federal and state legislative calendars have been incorporated into each program.
Board approval of the 2022 federal and state advocacy programs is scheduled for the November 10 Board meeting.
ADVANTAGES/DISADVANTAGES:
This report is being provided to recommend areas of emphasis to guide Federal and State advocacy efforts.
ALTERNATIVES ANALYSIS:
This report is being provided based on the District's current priorities.
PRIOR RELEVANT BOARD ACTION/POLICIES:
Staff Report 20-412a: 2021 Federal and State Legislative Advocacy Programs.
ATTACHMENTS:
1: Draft 2022 State Advocacy Program
2: Draft 2022 Federal Advocacy Program
Prepared by:
Steven Jones, External Affairs Representative
Approved/Reviewed by:
Claudia Burgos, Director of Legislative Affairs & Community Relations
Beverly Greene, Executive Director of External Affairs, Marketing & Communications
Jill A. Sprague, General Counsel
Chris Andrichak, Chief Financial Officer