Funding Advocacy
While the experiment of a shared position of the Director of Intergovernmental and Legislative Affairs for SANBAG and the Riverside County Transportation Commission (RCTC) generally has been considered positive in creating an Inland Empire identity to state and federal elected officials, it became evident in the past year that the workload of this position required the reestablishment of director-level positions in both agencies. These positions became separate in the summer of 2003.
In an effort to retain the Inland Empire identity created by the shared position, SANBAG and RCTC will continue to share legislative advocates via contracts with advocates in Sacramento and Washington, D.C. These shared services demonstrate the common priorities of each agency and give both a stronger voice in Sacramento and Washington
The SANBAG and RCTC governing bodies approved the biennial legislative program covering the 109th United States Congress and the first half of the 2005-06 Session of the California State Legislature, which provides staff direction on the policies and programs to be advocated for or against in Washington, D.C., and Sacramento. In an effort to maintain the Inland Empire identity that was created through the shared director position, SANBAG and RCTC intend to continue the two approved “guidance” documents, as well as request that both governing boards cooperatively adopt future state and federal legislative programs.
Legislative programs
To summarize, SANBAG’s federal legislative program seeks to do the following:
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Protect and enhance current funding levels for transportation programs
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Protect and enhance flexibility in use of transportation revenue
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Reduce or eliminate costly and duplicative administrative and regulatory requirements
Likewise, SANBAG’s state legislative program sets forth the following goals:
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Protect and enhance current funding levels for transportation programs
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Support increases in transportation revenues and funding sources that enhance the ability of SANBAG to implement their transportation plans
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Maximize flexibility in the use of existing transportation revenues
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Streamline administrative and regulatory processes
Throughout 2005, SANBAG will assist in the coordination and participation of statewide consensus groups to further these aims. Two specific funding issues are at the forefront of these advocacy efforts: Transportation Equity Act (TEA) Reauthorization (the federal authorization package) and full funding of Proposition 42 (a state funding mechanism for transportation).
Immediate transportation infrastructure investments are necessary to ensure traffic safety, compliance with air quality regulations and flow of goods movement. Securing funding through TEA reauthorization and Proposition 42 will allow this growing region to plan for and meet ongoing traffic demands.
Legislative programs
The full transcript of each program is available in Adobe Acrobat
(pdf) format:
SANBAG Contact
Jennifer Franco
Director of Intergovernmental & Legislative Affairs
Phone: (909) 884-8276
Fax: (909) 885-4407
Email: jfranco@sanbag.ca.gov