Levan M. Stoney February 21,2019 ‘The Honorable Ralph 8. Northam Governor of Virginia, P.O. Box 1475 Richmond, VA 23218 Dear Governor Northam: On behalf of the City of Richmond, I am writing to you to urge you to veto HB 2269. (Poindexter), which prohibits the Govemor or any state agency from adopting any regulation «establishing or bringing about the participation by the Commonwealth in the Transportation and Climate Initiative or any other regional transportation sector emissions program. Because HB 2269 is very broadly worded, the City of Richmond is gravely concemed that CMAQ funding falls under the prohibition the bil sets up. CMAQ provides federal funding for transportation projects and programs that help improve air quality and reduce traffic congestion. The program was established by the Intermodal Surface ‘Transportation Efficiency Act of 1991 and continues to fund projects located in areas that don't currently ~ or previously didn’t ~ meet the National Ambient Air Quality Standards for ozone, carbon monoxide, or particulate matter. Portions of the Richmond region were previously ‘onattainment areas, but now the region's air quality is in compliance. Through the RRTPO'S Ozone Advance agreement with the Virginia Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) the RRTPO continues to qualify for CMAQ funds. The federal government provides CMAQ funds to the Commonwealth of Virginia, which voluntarily sub-allocates @ portion for projects and programs selected by four regional metropolitan planning organizations. In the last ten years, FY10-FY19, total CMAQ allocations to the Cty of Richmond have totaled $34,246,460, which equates to an annual average of $3.43 million per year. Benefits tothe City of Richmond are numerous and include the following major transportation programs and improvements: ‘Main Street Station Operation Employee Trip Reduction Signal System Upgrade (ITS) Signal System Retiming ‘00 East Broad Stet, Suite201.* Richmond Virgin 23219 + (804) 646-7970Page Two HB 2269 + Transit Stop Access and Pedestrian Imp + Bike Share System (Clearly, CMAQ funding has been very important program funding forthe City of Richmond and it citizens, with allocations being anticipated through FY24, ‘While HB 2269 establishes a “workaround,” it requires the General Assembly to adopt resolution by tworthirds vote in each chamber that specifically references and approves any regulatory text proposed for adoption by a state agency. Under HB 2269, this action could not be accomplished, minimally, until mid-January 2020. This would put $60 million in state CMAQ funding at risk, and with it, allocated funding for some very iteportant projects tothe Richmond region, For all these reasons, we urge you to please veto HB 2269, Thank you for your consideration,