In developing transportation related issues and proposals to bring forward for consideration by TWIC, staff receives input from the Board of Supervisors (BOS), references the County's adopted Legislative Platforms, coordinates with our legislative advocates, partner agencies and organizations, and consults with the Committee itself.
This report includes four sections, 1: LOCAL, 2: REGIONAL, 3: STATE, and 4: FEDERAL.
1. LOCAL
No local report in October.
2. REGIONAL
No regoinal report in October.
3. STATE
Update
The County's legislative advocate will be in attendance at the October meeting, the October report is attached. The list of tracked legislation is attached as well.
Proposed Accessible Transportation Legislation from the California Senior Legislature
The California Senior Legislature (CSL) is proposing new legislation to fund accessible transportation statewide. County staff has provided sporadic support the CSL on the topic given our experience on the topic and the language in our State Legislative Platform (see below). The proposal would create the Accessible Transportation Account (ATA) and authorize Consolidated Transportation Services Agencies (CTSAs, authorized under existing law) to oversee expenditures at the local level. Vehicle registration/license fees are cited as potential revenue sources for the ATA.
The proposal is consistent with our adopted State Legislative Platform as follows:
Legislative and/or Regulatory Advocacy Priorities: Transportation for Seniors, Persons with Disabilities
Climate Change: SUPPORT efforts to expand eligible expenditures of the Climate Investments to investments in accessible transit/transportation systems (serving seniors, disabled, and veterans) which result in more efficient service and corresponding reductions in greenhouse gas production, and in investments in infrastructure and programs to promote active transportation, particularly bicycling and walking.
Human Services: Older Adults: • SUPPORT continued and improved funding to expand services for older adults and people with disabilities.
Staff is seeking input from the Committee on the proposal as well as direction to continue to support the effort as it moves through the CSL process and potentially into the State Legislature.
4. FEDERAL
The following is an update on the Build Back Better climate and social spending package and on the bipartisan Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act gleaned from an MTC update. See attached for materials, summary below.
President Biden has signed a short-term funding bill, keeping the government funded through December 3. The Senate passed the $1 trillion infrastructure bill 69-30 back in August, but it has been held up pending an agreement on the $3.5 trillion Build Back Better plan reconciliation bill.
Background outlined in the Agenda Item
- 2 parts
- $1 trillion physical infrastructure (IIJA)
- Build Back Better plan (Much bigger) - wide-range climate and social spending reconciliation package
- The House bill must have addressed key issues before sending the finalized bill to the Senate
- Policy issues from prescription drug pricing to SALT deductions
- Size of the Build Back Better plan
- Democrats considering tying it to the passage of the IIJA
- Senate moderates want to scale the package down to $1.5 trillion
- Progressives in Senate and House have stated that $3.5 trillion is the minimum spending level they can support
- House can only afford to lose 3 votes
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