Changes for MTA Board

In your Dec. 16 editorial, you chose to blame most of MTA’s ailments on the agency’s chief executive officer.

The CEO, while a very important person to the corporate structure, answers to the board of directors. In this case the corporation is the taxpayer’s MTA. The ultimate responsibility for the direction of the corporation (MTA) lies with its board of directors.

During this past legislative session, I authorized a bill to reform the MTA board, giving independent cities a stronger voice in planning and implementing transportation policy in our vast, diverse county of Los Angeles. The bill passed the Assembly but succumbed to the personal political interests of a few state senators.

I agree we need an MTA board that: is responsive to the needs of our citizens, especially those who must commute long distances to work; has a countywide approach to issues; is free of contracting impropriety; manages our immediate transit needs of today and carefully plans for those of the future.

You will not, however, find these qualities in an MTA board ap- pointed by the politicians in Sacramento. You will find these qualities in a board consisting of local elected officials. You know, the folks that must balance their local budgets each year, that live and work with the very people that use the transportation system.

As with most dilemmas we find in government, the solution will not be found in Sacramento or Washington, as proposed, but will be found at home with the people who elect us.

BOB MARGETT

Assembly, R-Arcadia