TO: AC Transit Board of Directors
FROM: Michael A. Hursh, General Manager
SUBJECT: Monthly Legislative Report
ACTION ITEM
RECOMMENDED ACTION(S):
Title
Consider receiving the monthly legislative report and approval of legislative positions, if necessary.
Body
BUDGETARY/FISCAL IMPACT:
There is no budgetary or fiscal impact associated with this report.
BACKGROUND/RATIONALE:
Federal Legislation Update
On April 30, President Trump and Transportation Secretary Chao met with House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Senate Democratic Leader Charles Schumer to discuss the need for an infrastructure bill. While details of the meeting remain sketchy, the two Democratic leaders announced that the principals had agreed to work together to develop a legislative package that would invest $2 trillion in infrastructure. Another meeting is supposed to take place in three weeks.
On May 1, the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee heard testimony from Members of Congress regarding issues of importance to them that fall under the jurisdiction of the Committee. Committee Chairman Peter DeFazio (D-OR) opened the hearing by stressing that the Committee must do its job to invest in the nation's infrastructure, to which forty-three Members testified or submitted written testimony.
Last month, Transportation Secretary Elaine Chao made three appointments to her senior staff:
* Infrastructure Financing. Dan DeBono was appointed to be Deputy Assistant Secretary for Transportation Policy, where he will oversee infrastructure financing issues, as well as BUILD and INFRA grants. Mr. DeBono unsuccessfully ran for Congress in New York last year and worked at Elliott Management Corporation and Goldman Sachs. He replaces Grover Burthey.
* Build America Bureau. Morteza Farajian, was appointed to serve as Executive Director of DOT's Build America Bureau. The position has been vacant since Marty Klepper resigned in 2017. Dr. Farajian most recently was acting Virginia's Deputy Secr...
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