Rita Robinson & Jose Huizar Appointed to Metro Board

Councilman Jose Huizar Appointed to Metro Board : egpnews.com

Councilman Jose Huizar Appointed to Metro Board

By EGP News Service

L.A. Councilman Jose Huizar (CD-14) was appointed last week to the Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) Board of Directors by Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa.

Villaraigosa also appointed Department of Transportation General Manager Rita Robinson to the 13-member board of directors. Huizar will be replacing Councilman Bernard Parks, who stepped down in January, and Robinson will be replacing Los Angeles Chamber of Commerce Chairman David Fleming, who resigned after the mayor appointed him to the Metropolitan Water District’s board of directors.

“From the Eastside Gold Line extension in Boyle Heights, to the Valley Boulevard Bridge in El Sereno, to my plan to bring the beloved streetcar back to Downtown Los Angeles, I have been actively engaged in major transportation issues throughout my time in office and relish the opportunity to do more,” Huizar said in a press release.

“I look forward to working with the Mayor and the entire Metro Board on building a world-class bus service and expanding rail lines as we usher in a new dawn in Los Angeles’ transportation needs and services.”

March 26 was also the last day for Metropolitan Transportation Authority CEO Roger Snoble on the board, the two new directors made their first appearances. Orange County Transportation Authority CEO Arthur T. Leahy is replacing Snoble who is retiring.

The new Metro Board of Directors have the responsibility to carry out voter-approved Measure R, a half-cent sales tax to fund transportation projects throughout the county that is estimated to bring in $40 billion in funding for transportation projects.

Snoble reportedly spent the past year pushing for the passage of Measure R and expressed desire to have consistent leadership during the implementation of Measure R.