TO: AC Transit Board of Directors
FROM: Michael A. Hursh, General Manager
SUBJECT: Monthly Legislative Report
BRIEFING ITEM
RECOMMENDED ACTION(S):
Title
Consider approving the monthly legislative report.
Body
STRATEGIC IMPORTANCE:
Goal - Strong Public and Policymaker Support
Initiative - Financial Efficiency and Revenue Maximization
The Monthly Legislative Report helps 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 policy maker support. Policy decisions at all levels of government can positively or negatively affect District operations and revenues 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:
Federal
The House and Senate are both expected to be back in session on May 11. Negotiations regarding the next federal stimulus bill are ongoing.
The American Public Transportation Association (APTA) submitted to Congress a request of $23.8 billion to enable transit systems to continue to operate through 2020. Congress provided $25 billion to public transit in the CARES Act.
State
The State’s Department of Finance has released a projected $54 billion budget shortfall through next summer. Governor Newsom is preparing the required May Revise that will be released by May 15th. The Department of Finance has issued guidance to all state departments informing them that all aspects of the January budget will be reconsidered in preparation of a bare bones June budget that will be revisited in August.
Additional bills that authors have confirmed as not moving forward this year are:
• AB 2176 (Holden) Free student transit passes: eligibility for state funding
• AB 2777 (Quirk) Alameda-Contra Costa Transit District
• AB 1839 (Bonta) Climate change: California Green New Deal
• AB 2057 (Chiu) San Francisco Bay area: public transportation
Region
On April 22 the Metropolitan Transportation Commission (MTC) voted to allocate $781 million in CARES Act funds to transit operators. The Commission approved MTC staff’s recommendation to allocate $80.3 million to AC Transit. This is the first disbursement and represents approximately 61% of the total funds available, the second disbursement will be made in July. The commission established a Blue-Ribbon task force made up of MTC Staff, Commissioners, transit operators and advocacy groups to make disbursement recommendations for the second round based on a number of factors including issues of equity and use of initial funds. General Manager Michael Hursh will serve as a member of the task force.
ADVANTAGES/DISADVANTAGES:
This report is provided to inform the Board of monthly legislative activities. Ensuring favorable legislation is adopted by policymakers helps further the District’s goal of having strong public and policymaker support.
ALTERNATIVES ANALYSIS:
There were no alternatives considered as this report provides an update of monthly legislative activities.
PRIOR RELEVANT BOARD ACTION/POLICIES:
Staff Report 20-011: 2020 Federal and State Legislative Advocacy Programs
ATTACHMENTS:
1. Federal Update from Van Scoyoc Associates
2. State Update from Platinum Advisors
3. State Matrix
4. 2020 Federal Legislative Program
5. 2020 State Legislative Program
Prepared by:
Claudia Burgos, Director of Legislative Affairs and Community Relations
Approved/Reviewed by:
Beverly Greene, Executive Director of External Affairs, Marketing & Communications