Slow-motion train wreck

On the same day the BART Board potentially picks a new member, comes bad budget news for the beleaguered transit agency. Plus, campaign finance data is back

COUNTY NEWS

BART BOARD

—APPOINTMENT—The BART Board of Directors will interview the three applicants seeking the appointment this morning for recently resigned Board Director John McPartland’s seat.

—Here are the contenders and their applications:

• Bruce Delevaux - application

• Melissa Hernández - application

• Gabe Rodrigues - application

—If all goes well, the BART Board will select one of the three to serve in the Tri-Valley and Hayward district through the end of the year.

—Hernández and Rodrigues pulled papers for the seat prior to McPartland’s resignation in late March.

—If the BART Board chooses Hernández, the termed out mayor of Dublin, the pick will shake up the city’s upcoming mayoral race between two members of the city council.

—FISCAL CLIFF?—First question to the BART Board applicants: Are you sure you want the appointment?

—The BART Board will receive some sobering economic news this morning.

—When federal transportation assistance ends in 2026, BART will be left holding a $35 million budget shortfall.

—The news is worse in subsequent years, rising to $385 million in 2027, $318 million in 2028, and $309 million in 2029.

—This assumes the unlikely event that BART does nothing in the intervening years.

—BART’s budget outlook only makes it more pressing that Senate Bill 1031, the proposed Bay Area regional ballot measure is approved by the Legislature and placed before voters in 2026.

—The legislation is co-authored by Bay Area state Sens. Scott Wiener and Aisha Wahab.

—The ballot measure, if approved, could generate between $1 billion and $1.5 billion in annual revenues for Bay Area transit agencies.

—Although BART supports SB 1031, there is currently growing skepticism about the legislation among Santa Clara County officials.

MORE INSIDE:

• ELECTION 2024: Another big endorsement for Arreguín

• Who does Barbara Lee speak for in the U.S. Senate race?

• Berkeley City Council field is growing

• Credit Karma founders spent heavily on DA Price recall

• Time is running out on Wahab recall effort

• Campaign finance data is back.

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