Statement from Supervisor Mark Ridley-Thomas on Metro Budget and Cost Control Efforts

Los Angeles, CA May 28, 2020 _

“Due to a Board with an expansive vision and an agency motivated to deliver, we have found ourselves in a position to advance projects years before the commitment made to voters when they passed Measure M. The work to do so over the past few years has been audacious, driven by a reality that the infrastructure and transportation needs are significant in all corners of this region. I have long advanced a regional, rational, and equitable transportation policy at Metro.

“But this moment rightly forces us to reevaluate. First and foremost, our commitment must continue to be on delivering Measure M projects where and when they were promised. Then, this crisis should motivate us all – including our industry partners – to do some belt tightening.

“Investing in infrastructure has historically been the ticket to restarting the economy, and we should exhaust efforts to drive that scenario now. These efforts should be guided by unprecedented innovation and resourcefulness. This is a new reality, and we must be guided accordingly.”