Meeting_Body
EXECUTIVE MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE
FEBRUARY 16, 2017
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 February 2, 2017 and will be updated, as appropriate, at the Executive Management Committee meeting on February 16, 2017.
Federal Grants for Fiscal Year 2017
As we did last year and previously - Metro looks forward to aggressively seeking federal transportation grants - as authorized under the FAST Act.
Late last year, the U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT) announced a 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 FASTLANE grant applications were submitted prior to December 15, 2016 - consistent with the USDOT’s stated deadline. Because Congress did not appropriate a full year of funding for transportation projects and programs last year - this second round of FASTLANE grant funding was put on hold. Metro’s Government Relations team will continue to work with our Planning Department to advocate for the applications that were submitted. The USDOT’s announcement of FASTLANDE grant awards will be made by our nation’s new USDOT Secretary Elaine Chao, who was confirmed on January 31st. At this time there is no indication of when this grant will be announced.
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 April 28, 2017.
We continue to work with staffers for both the House and Senate Appropriations Committees 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). The Appropriations process for Fiscal Year 2018 is not expected to begin until May of 2017, after Fiscal Year 2017 funding is completed for the remainder of the Federal Fiscal Year.
Local Hire
I am very pleased to share that on January 18, 2017, USDOT published a five-year extension of the Local Hire Pilot Program which extends the program until 2022. Metro is appreciative of the partnership that we have with USDOT on advancing the Local Hire program. Metro will continue to work with USDOT to submit valuable data on the benefits gained from utilizing local hire language in our U.S. Employment Plan and Career Construction Program.
Federal Infrastructure Package
The Trump Administration has been vocal about their desire to move forward on building and re-building our infrastructure. Very little information has been presented on the specifics of the plan, but Congressional Committees are beginning to hold hearings to explore what an infrastructure package might look like and how it will be funded. Metro is working closely with key Congressional staff as well as working closely with transportation associations and other key national stakeholders to make sure that our Board-approved priorities are included in any infrastructure package that is considered by the 115th Congress. We look forward to presenting more information to the Board on this topic as ideas and legislation are advanced on Capitol Hill.
Conclusion
We will expand on this brief report at the Executive Management Committee meeting with any new developments that occur in the days ahead.
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 federal matters of interest to our agency. This report was prepared on January 31, 2017 and will be updated, as appropriate, prior to the Executive Management Committee meeting on February 16, 2017.
California State Legislature Begins Bill Introductions in 2017-2018 Legislative Session
The California State Legislative session officially began on Monday, December 5, 2016. Legislators have been able to introduce bills since the commencement of the 2017 Legislative Session on December 5, 2016. Through January 31, there have been 265 Assembly Bills introduced and 204 Senate Bills introduced (for a total of 469 bills). The deadline for introducing new bills is Friday, February 17 (absent a rule waiver). Staff is reviewing all of the proposed legislation for potential impacts to Metro programs and projects and will keep the Board apprised through the legislative session as bills move through the legislative process.
Post-election California State Legislative Changes
Governor Edmund G. Brown Jr.’s nomination for Attorney General, Xavier Becerra (D-CA) was confirmed in the Senate and Assembly in January. Becerra was sworn into office on January 18, 2017 as Attorney General, replacing Kamala D. Harris, who was elected to the U.S. Senate last month. Metro staff will continue to update the Board of Directors regarding changes in key leadership and the state Senate and Assembly delegation. The Senate and Assembly announced Committee assignments in late December.
Governor’s Transportation Funding Package
On January 10, 2017, Governor Brown released his budget proposal for 2017-2018. The Governor made a statement about California’s economic future, highlighting the need to remain fiscally prudent to prepare for a future recession. Governor Brown’s priority for increasing the State’s reserves remains a key element in this year’s proposed budget. The Governor’s 2017-2018 proposal includes provisions to combat a projected $2 billion deficit by using conservative revenue estimates and reducing planned increases in spending. The Governor’s proposal for transportation includes $4.2 billion, an increase of 8 percent, for infrastructure, goods movement and transit. Metro staff and our advocacy team are actively briefing key offices on our priorities to support a robust funding package that aggressively addresses Metro’s key priorities.
Conclusion
We will expand on this brief report at the Executive Management Committee meeting with any new developments that occur in the days ahead.
Attachments
ATTACHMENTS
Attachment A - February 2017 - 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
