TO: AC Transit Board of Directors
FROM: Michael A. Hursh, General Manager/Chief Executive Officer
SUBJECT: Consider the Adoption of AC Transit’s 2024 Federal & State Advocacy Programs
ACTION ITEM
AGENDA PLANNING REQUEST: ☐
RECOMMENDED ACTION(S):
Title
Consider the adoption of AC Transit’s 2024 Federal and State Advocacy Programs.
Staff Contact:
Beverly Greene, Executive Director of External Affairs, Marketing & Communications
Body
STRATEGIC IMPORTANCE:
Goal - Strong Public and Policymaker Support
Initiative - Financial Efficiency and Revenue Maximization
The annual federal and state 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 2024 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 programs were presented to the General Manager’s Access Committee (GMAC) on September 12, 2023. Draft programs were also distributed to advocacy groups and the District’s planning and funding partners to solicit feedback.
No amendments were recommended by the Board when it was presented with the draft 2024 Federal and State Advocacy Programs on October 25th. The legislative calendars in the programs have been updated with the most recently available dates. The attached draft programs are proposed as final drafts for Board approval.
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:
1. Staff Report 23-420 Draft 2024 Federal and State Advocacy Programs
2. Staff Report 22-466a 2023 Federal and State Advocacy Programs
ATTACHMENTS:
1. Att. 1 - FINAL DRAFT 2024 Federal Advocacy Program
2. Att. 2 - FINAL DRAFT 2024 State Advocacy Program
Prepared by:
Steven C. Jones, External Affairs Representative
Approved/Reviewed by:
Claudia Burgos, Director of Legislative Affairs & Community Relations
Beverly Greene, Executive Director of External Affairs, Marketing & Communications