April 3, 2018
The Honorable Freddie Rodriguez
California State Assembly
State Capitol, Room 2188
Sacramento, CA 95814
RE: AB 2417 (Rodriguez) – Oppose Unless Amended
Dear Assemblyman Rodriguez:
On behalf of Inland Action, this letter is to inform you of our position on AB 2417, which is to oppose unless amended. Inland Action is a non-profit organization of business and community leaders dedicated to the economic and community betterment of the Inland Southern California region. While Inland Action supports the City of Montclair being added as a voting member to the Metro Gold Line Foothill Extension Construction Authority (Authority), the Authority should also include the San Bernardino County Transportation Authority (SBCTA) as an additional voting member.
Since the inception of this project, membership of the Authority has been amended to include those entities directly impacted by the project but should also include those responsible for funding and operation of the public transit system. It is our understanding at the intent of AB 2417 is to recognize the City of Montclair’s vital role as the terminus station and as a regional transit hub for Gold Line service. Inland Action supports the addition of the City of Montclair and the need for their voice as a voting member.
Unfortunately, AB 2417 does not provide SBCTA a voting seat on the Authority as an equally important funding agency. SBCTA is responsible for providing $79 million toward construction of the project, as well as millions of dollars annually for ongoing operation of the future service. The taxpayers of San Bernardino County deserve representation as a voting member of the Authority to ensure the funding contributed is used in a manner consistent with Measure I and that their interests are heard.
Inland Actions urges that AB 2417 be amended to convert the ex-officio seat SBCTA currently holds to a voting member of the Metro Gold Line Foothill Extension Construction Authority. Feel free to contact us if you need any further information on our position. We thank you for considering our position and hope that this amendment can be incorporated into the bill.
Sincerely,
Deborah Barmack
President