Meeting_Body
EXECUTIVE MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE
NOVEMBER 17, 2016
Subject/Action
SUBJECT: STATE AND FEDERAL REPORT
ACTION: RECEIVE AND FILE
Heading
RECOMMENDATION
Title
RECEIVE AND FILE State and Federal Legislative Report.
Discussion
DISCUSSION
Executive Management Committee
Remarks Prepared By Raffi Haig Hamparian
Government Relations Director, Federal Affairs
Chairman Fasana and members of the Executive Management Committee, I am pleased to provide an update on a number of federal matters of interest to our agency. This report was prepared on November 1, 2016 and will be updated, as appropriate, at the Executive Management Committee meeting on November 17, 2016.
Federal Grants for Fiscal Year 2016
U.S. DOT recently announced the Notice of Funding Opportunity for the second round of the FASTLANE Grant Program which was created as part of the freight focused funding section of the FAST Act. Metro’s Government Relations Office will be working with our Planning Department to assist in advocating for the application that are submitted. Applications are due December 15, 2015.
Federal Appropriations for Fiscal Year 2017
As Federal Fiscal Year 2016 came to a close on September 30th, Congress was unable to agree on passing a full year funding bill and instead approved a short term Continuing Resolution that will fund the Federal Government at Fiscal Year 2016 levels until December 9, 2016.
We will be working to make sure the final federal spending bill includes $100 million for the Regional Connector, $100 million for Purple Line Extension (Segment 1), and $100 million for Purple Line Extension (Section 2).
Local Hire
We are very pleased that our Board of Directors is circulating a letter calling on the Obama Administration - through the U.S. Department of Transportation - to make permanent their Local Hire Pilot Program.
At present, the U.S. Department of Transportation’s (USDOT) Local Hire Pilot Program is slated to expire in March of 2017. Metro - through our America Fast Forward initiative - has been at the forefront of efforts to reform the USDOT’s local hire rules. Specifically - in September of 2011 - our Board added the reforming of federal local hire rules to our existing America Fast Forward initiative. In November of 2013 Congresswoman Karen Bass introduced - after consulting with Metro - H.R. 3620 - The Local Hire Act. In December of 2014 - Congresswoman Bass was successful in embedding language in the Fiscal Year 2015 federal spending bill that permitted the use of local hire practices around the nation. The following year - in 2015 - the USDOT announced that they would be launching a Local Hire Pilot Program.
We look forward to securing a favorable reply to our Board’s letter requesting that the Local Hire Pilot Program be made permanent.
Conclusion
I look forward to expanding on this brief report at the Executive Management Committee meeting with any new developments that occur in the days ahead.
This concludes my remarks before the committee. I would welcome the opportunity to answer any questions from you Mr. Chairman or from members of this committee.
Executive Management Committee
Remarks Prepared By Michael Turner
Deputy Executive Officer Government Relations
Chairman Fasana and members of the Executive Management Committee, I am pleased to provide an update on a number of state legislative matters of interest to our agency. This report was prepared on November 1, 2016 and will be updated, as appropriate, at the Executive Management Committee meeting on November 17, 2016.
Potential Special Session on Transportation Funding
Legislative leadership in Sacramento continues to explore the possibility of acting in special session on a transportation funding proposal by the end of November. While no date is scheduled for a vote the Chairmen of both policy committees are continuing discussions on their joint proposal and exploring the possibility of securing a two-thirds vote in each house. Metro staff and advocacy team is actively briefing key offices on our priorities to support a robust funding package that aggressively addresses Metro’s key priorities. Metro recently shared a letter to the Los Angeles County State Senate and Assembly delegation that urges the legislature to act and communicates Metro’s strong support for prioritizing transit, freight and highway funding.
CTC Releases Staff Recommendation for 2017 State Active Transportation Program
The California Transportation Commission (CTC) staff recommendation for the 2017 Active Transportation (ATP) program was released on Friday, October 28, 2016. The CTC staff recommendation will be considered for adoption by the CTC at its December 2016 meeting in Riverside. The 2017 ATP will provide a total of $263.5 million statewide for projects that encourage bicycling and walking. The 2017 CTC staff recommendation for the $131.8 million State component includes approximately $25.3 million for projects in Los Angeles County.
Staff will continue to update the Metro Board of Directors apprised of any significant policy advancements and changes in leadership and the Los Angeles County State Legislative delegation following the election.
Conclusion
We will expand on this brief report at the Executive Management Committee meeting with any new developments that occur in the days ahead.
We welcome the opportunity to answer any questions from you Mr. Chairman or from other members of this committee.
Attachments
ATTACHMENTS
Attachment A - November 2016 - Legislative Matrix
Prepared_by
Prepared by: Michael Turner, DEO, Government Relations, (213) 922-2122
Raffi Hamparian, Director, Government Relations, (213) 922-3769
Reviewed_By
Reviewed by: Pauletta Tonilas, Chief Communications Officer, (213) 922-3777
