MISSION STATEMENT The Riverside Transit Agency, Riverside County s multi-modal transportation provider, shall provide for a variety of transportation needs in a cost-effective and efficient manner for all the residents of our member communities. The Agency is committed to providing safe, reliable, courteous, accessible, and user-friendly services to our customers. BOARD OF DIRECTORS RTA is governed by a board of directors comprised of 22 elected officials from 18 cities in western Riverside County and four members of the County Board of Supervisors. Linda Krupa Chair City of Hemet Art Welch First Vice Chair City of Banning Randon Lane Second Vice Chair City of Murrieta Kevin Jeffries County of Riverside District 1 John F. Tavaglione County of Riverside District 2 Chuck Washington County of Riverside District 3 Marion Ashley County of Riverside District 5 Mark Orozco City of Beaumont Linda Molina City of Calimesa Dawn Haggerty City of Canyon Lake Dick Haley City of Corona Brandon Plott City of Eastvale Anthony Kelly, Jr. City of Jurupa Valley Daryl Hickman City of Lake Elsinore Greg August City of Menifee David Marquez City of Moreno Valley Berwin Hanna City of Norco Tonya Burke City of Perris Andy Melendrez City of Riverside Alonso Ledezma City of San Jacinto Maryann Edwards City of Temecula Bridgette Moore City of Wildomar
I. Background Actions at the federal and state legislative levels have profound effects on the operations of the Riverside Transit Agency (RTA). Because RTA relies heavily on operating and capital funding from all levels of government, assuring that adequate funds are allocated is critical to allow the Agency to meet its commitment in providing safe, efficient, reliable and economic transportation service to western Riverside County. The RTA Federal and State Legislative Program (Program) establishes the goals and methods RTA will use to advocate for the funding and regulatory environment necessary to meet the transportation demands of the communities served. As in previous versions, the program is presented in the form of principles rather than specific action items to allow staff the necessary flexibility to quickly respond to legislative proposals and specific policy concerns that may arise over the course of a session. Furthermore, as funding opportunities materialize, staff will use this program as a foundation to prepare grant applications that represent the needs of RTA and place the Agency in the best position to be awarded funds. New in this version is an expansion of the program to include two years, which coincides with the legislative cycles at both the federal and state levels. In 2016, hopes were initially high that federal appropriation bills would be quickly ushered through both chambers of Congress. Unfortunately, political differences arose that bogged down the approval process. Ultimately, two continuing resolutions (CRs) had to be passed just to fund the government at previous authorized levels. The most recent CR was passed in early December and will fund the government until April 28, 2017, meaning the Federal Transit Administration (FTA) cannot make full year apportionments and are forced to use FY16 levels that do not contain the increased funding from the Fixing America s Surface Transportation (FAST) Act. Early 2017 brings much to do for the newly inaugurated president and congress. Appropriations must be completed for FY17 while at the same time work must begin on FY18 funding legislation. The federal debt limit is expected to be reached in March and the Senate must hold confirmation hearings to vote on President Trump s cabinet nominees. Of importance to RTA, President Trump s choice for transportation secretary, Elaine Chao, was confirmed by the Senate on January 31, 2017 with a 93-6 vote. Secretary Chao is a former assistant secretary of transportation and labor secretary who was able to achieve broad bipartisan support for her nomination amid much political divide over most of the president s nominees. Looking ahead, President Trump has proposed significant new spending on infrastructure to rehabilitate and modernize America s aging assets. Figures initially proposed include spending one trillion dollars to bolster transportation. If formally proposed in the next Congress and signed into law, this spending would likely be far-reaching, providing critical new funding for highways, public transit, airports and goods movement. On the state level, the special session called by Governor Jerry Brown in late 2015 failed to come up with legislation to fund the state s unmet transportation needs. Numerous proposals were made to raise funds over what is currently collected through gas and diesel sales and excise taxes, yet consensus could not be reached before the legislature adjourned in September 2016. However, State legislators entered the 2017-2018 session and quickly introduced transportation legislation in both the Assembly and the Senate. Momentum began to build in late March and on April 6, Senate Bill 1 (SB 1) passed the Senate by a vote of 27-11 and the Assembly 54-26, both barely meeting the 2/3 majority vote requirement necessary to pass legislation that raises taxes.
SB 1 is a $5.24 billion a year funding package designed to repair and maintain our state highways and local roads, improve our trade corridors, and support public transit and active transportation. Revenue will be generated via: $0.12 per gallon increase in gasoline excise tax. $0.20 per gallon increase in diesel excise tax. 4 percent increase in the diesel sales tax. A new Road Improvement Fee of $100 per year fee for zero-emission vehicles. A new Transportation Improvement Fee (TIF) based on a sliding scale of the market value of a registered vehicle. For transit agencies across California, estimated revenue generated by SB 1 includes: $250 million a year to the State Transit Assistance (STA) program for transit capital and operations purposes (funded via a 3.5 percent increase to the diesel sales tax rate). $40 million a year for intercity and commuter passenger rail systems (funded via an additional.5 percent increase to the diesel sales tax rate). $105 million a year to the STA program for state of good repair type expenditures (funded via the TIF). $245 million a year to the Transit and Intercity Rail Capital Program (funded via the TIF). $250 million a year to a new Solutions for Congested Corridors Program which would be overseen by the California Transportation Commission for allocation to projects for a balanced set of transportation, environmental and community access improvements within highly congested travel corridors (funded via the TIF). To assist in achieving its goals, RTA is a member of several transportation organizations that advocate for the increased role and importance of transit. For federal advocacy, the Agency is a member of the American Public Transportation Association (APTA), a national trade association that maintains an active lobbying program. RTA also utilizes the services of David Turch and Associates (DTA), legislative consultants based in Washington, DC. DTA works with RTA staff to monitor pertinent legislation, arrange meetings with our federal delegation and advocate on behalf of the Agency. On the state level, the California Transit Association (CTA) serves as an advocate for transit to the California Legislature. CTA works to enhance transit funding and to represent transit's interests before the Legislature, the governor, and regulatory agencies. CTA frequently updates RTA on policy developments, and RTA staff is an active member on the CTA Legislative Committee. At the local level, RTA supports six Transportation NOW (T-NOW) chapters. These local grassroots organizations represent the various regions that make up RTA s large service area and advocate for the use and support of public transportation as an essential component to their communities. T-NOW chapters work with RTA staff to support or oppose transit-related legislation; to raise awareness of the benefits of environmentally sound, safe, and energy-efficient transportation alternatives; and to encourage the use of public transportation in western Riverside County. There are still many details to be worked out before a final financial outlook can be developed. Staff will remain engaged in the process and provide updates as necessary. RIVERSIDE TRANSIT AGENCY
II. Federal Legislative Program This program is a general policy statement of federal legislative issues of concern to the Riverside Transit Agency. 1. Transit Funding a. Advocate for full year appropriations to minimize funding delays from FTA. b. Coordinate with federal agencies to ensure equitable distribution of funding from Fixing America s Surface Transportation (FAST) Act. c. Advocate for expanding eligible uses for federal funding in the FAST Act. d. Obtain fair share of additional funding from Bus and Bus Facilities program. e. Advocate for local control and flexibility in delivering projects. f. Oppose efforts to erode Highway Trust Fund revenues without identifying a new dedicated and sustainable source of greater value. g. Support efforts to ease and simplify local matching requirements for federal grants and programs. h. Advocate for transit agencies to be direct recipients of federal grants. i. Seek federal funding to meet state and local environmental quality requirements, including anticipated requirements for zero-emission buses, alternative fueling stations and future greenhouse gas reduction requirements. 2. Regulatory a. Advocate for a thorough review of the relevance and local financial impacts of section 13(c) of the Federal Transit Law, or any federal regulations that inhibit RTA s ability to provide reliable transportation. b. Coordinate with federal agencies and officials to ensure previously appropriated funds remain allocated to RTA. c. Oppose regulations adversely affecting the Agency s ability to effectively and efficiently address labor relations, employee rights and administration of benefits. d. Support federal efforts to modernize bus axle weight standards. e. Support legislation that incentivizes the use of transit. f. Oppose legislation that places additional unfunded mandates or regulations on RTA. g. Advocate for a permanent extension of the alternative fuels excise tax credit. h. Support income tax deductions for employees receiving employer-provided transit benefits. j. Engage the new Administration to ensure that California, and RTA in particular, receive its fair share of any new federal transportation initiative. RIVERSIDE TRANSIT AGENCY
III. State Legislative Program This program is a general policy statement of state legislative issues of concern to the Riverside Transit Agency. 1. Transit Funding a. Monitor the implementation of SB 1 and ensure transit receives its fair share of revenue generated. b. Oppose any measure that would divert local transit related funds to the state for use other than for transit activities. c. Monitor any programs initiated from the recent pilot program seeking new funding sources beyond the gas tax. d. Support legislation to provide specific funding for innovative and intelligent transit programs to leverage the use of smart devices. e. Advocate for additional funding for paratransit operations, travel training programs and transit accessibility capital improvements that support persons with disabilities and senior citizens. 2. Environmental e. Support efforts to encourage transitoriented developments as a solution to environmental issues. 3. Regulation a. Support legislation that provides incentives for employees and employers to use public transportation to commute to work. b. Monitor minimum wage laws to ensure they are uniformly implemented statewide. c. Monitor state implementation of pension reform laws. d. Oppose labor-related legislation and regulations that would have a negative effect on RTA s ability to efficiently and economically provide service. e. Support maximum flexibility in the ability to use state funding. f. Support legislation that reduces liability for transit agencies. g. Support legislation that increases operator safety. a. Defend and expand transit allocation of cap and trade revenue as authorized by AB 32. b. Ensure zero-emission bus policies do not place unfair or unfunded mandates on transit agencies. c. Ensure implementation of Advanced Clean Transit (ACT) initiatives prioritize existing proven alternative-fuel technologies. d. Advocate for the geographically equitable distribution of cap and trade revenue.
IV. Advocacy Activities To achieve the goals of the Agency s Legislative Program, RTA will utilize the following activities and sources as appropriate: a. Regular and consistent contact with the offices of federal, state and local legislators. b. Strategic travel to federal and state legislators and agencies. c. Maintain a database to track pertinent legislation and bring relevant bills to the Board of Directors for feedback, support or opposition. d. Generation of RTA Board of Directors approved letters in support of or opposition to legislation. e. Regular communication with attendees of Transportation NOW chapters. f. Initiate contact with legislators to sponsor transit-friendly legislation. g. Coordination with press outlets to print transit-friendly publications. h. Regular communication with RTA s federal legislative consultants. i. Legislative reports from trade organizations and other transportation agencies. j. Engagement of the community via social media communications k. Coordination with regional transportation agencies to create a strong local advocacy voice. RIVERSIDE TRANSIT AGENCY
FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT: ERIC USTATION GOVERNMENT AFFAIRS MANAGER (951) 565-5250 EUSTATION@RIVERSIDETRANSIT.COM 1825 THIRD STREET, RIVERSIDE, CA 92507 951-565-5000 WWW.RIVERSIDETRANSIT.COM