Executive Director Steve Heminger's Report to the Commission Meeting of November 19, 2014
Election Results
November 4
The mid-term elections brought a switch in party control of the United States Senate, significant new transportation funding in two Bay Area counties, and a promotion for two members of the Commission itself. Although the Republicans are expected to have a 54-seat majority in 2015, it takes 60 votes to do legislative business in the U.S. Senate. As a result, the odds for a long-term federal transportation reauthorization with dedicated funding probably still range between slim and none. The passage of Measure BB in Alameda County and Propositions A and B in San Francisco will generate over $9 billion in funding – primarily for non-auto modes – in those two central Bay counties over the next few decades. And finally, congratulations are in order for Commissioner Dodd upon his election to the State Assembly and Commissioner Liccardo upon his election as the next mayor of San Jose.
TBPOC Meeting
November 4, Sacramento
The Toll Bridge Program Oversight Committee also met on election day, and our regular agenda featured updates on the water intrusion of the tower base bolts and public notification that we will be postponing bid opening for the next phase of the demolition work while we try to find a more cost-effective strategy for relocating the various bird species that have used the old span as a nesting place for decades.
Comings and Goings
I wanted to highlight one executive departure and another arrival for your information. Andre Boutros has announced his retirement as executive director of the California Transportation Commission effective at the end of the calendar year. In January 2015, long-time Maryland Department of Transportation executive Neil Pedersen will become the next CEO of the Transportation Research Board in Washington, DC.
Map of the Month
This map shows, by county-based place types, the percentage change in the population living below 100% of the federal poverty level from 2000 to 2012. Place types were defined by grouping US Census Designated Places as Central Cities, Inner Suburbs, Outer Suburbs, and Balance of Counties, based on their population, employment and travel characteristics. Viewed regionally, the percentage increase in poverty was highest in the Outer Suburbs (62%), as compared to the Central Cities (22%) and Inner Suburbs (24%) showing a pattern of larger increases in poverty in the region’s periphery. The percentage increases in poverty in the Outer Suburbs by County range from 38% to 89%, as compared to the Inner Suburbs which range from 17% to 30% and Central Cities from 3% to 40%.
MTC Operational Statistics
The monthly report on the performance of MTC’s operating programs: