Yesterday, the California State Assembly passed AB1600, which amends the Construction Authority’s enabling legislation to formally extend the Foothill Extension project boundaries to Montclair in San Bernardino County, making Montclair an “Extension city” and the San Bernardino Associated Governments (SANBAG) a non-voting member of the Authority. The bill also clarifies Los Angeles County concerns related to the cost to construct, operate and maintain the line in San Bernardino County, which will be the responsibility of San Bernardino County.

AB1600 was introduced by Assembly Member Norma Torres and coauthored by Senators Hernandez, Huff and Liu and Assembly Member Portantino. As always, we truly appreciate their leadership and commitment to completing the project. The bill now goes to the Senate for consideration.

Additionally, last night the San Gabriel Valley Council of Governments (COG) met and discussed Metro’s proposal to permanently extend the Measure R sales tax. Metro CEO Art Leahy attended the Transportation Committee meeting and presented the agency’s proposal to the COG members and representatives of virtually every elected federal and state official of the San Gabriel Valley. In general, the COG members and electeds’ representatives insisted that the Foothill Extension to Claremont be funded consistent with the Measure R definition. Metro reps promised more details about the projects to be funded by a permanent extension in an upcoming Expenditure Plan to be presented to the Metro board next month.

Below is an article from the San Gabriel Valley Tribune that discusses the COG meeting, and attached are three letters sent to the COG board and Metro board urging inclusion of the Foothill Extension to Claremont in the Expenditure Plan. The letters were sent by Congress Members Chu, Schiff and Napolitano; San Gabriel Valley Legislative Caucus Members Senators Hernandez and Huff and Chairman of the Foothill Extension Joint Powers Authority Board Sam Pedroza.

Thanks to Habib Balian for the update.

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