Approval of this action will finalize the MPO's draft federal and state legislative priorities for 2021.

Each year, the Broward MPO sets federal and state legislative priorities to guide the legislative initiatives program. The goal of the legislative initiatives program is to achieve policy outcomes from Washington and Tallahassee that are favorable to the Broward MPO and the Broward region.

In addition to bringing more funding directly to the Broward MPO, several 2020 legislative priorities were successful, including:

• Submitting applications for the Better Utilizing Investments to Leverage Development Grant and Infrastructure for Rebuilding America Grant for the Port Everglades Intermodal Freight Connector project.
• Working on legislation affecting MPO Board makeup, passenger rail, regional funding shifts, public safety and technology.
• Raising the Broward MPO’s profile while strengthening its relationships with the Broward congressional delegation, relevant congressional committees, and the United States Department of Transportation.

During the past few months, the Broward MPO has engaged with local, state, and national partners to establish a new list of federal and state legislative priorities that benefit the Organization and the region. The draft 2021 federal and state legislative priorities, originally provided at the November 12, 2020 MPO Board workshop, builds on the progress that has been made during past years, and sets out to address some challenges facing the MPO both at the state and federal level. The theme of the draft federal and state priorities for this upcoming year include ensuring funding for programs that are important to the Broward MPO as well as promoting policies in Washington and Tallahassee that will improve safety and economic development in Broward.

The draft 2021 federal and state legislative priorities are provided in the Attachment.

MPO staff recommends approval of the 2021 federal and state legislative priorities. Questions and comments will be addressed at the meeting.

If you have any questions about this item, please contact Paul Calvaresi at (954) 876-0037 or calvaresip@browardmpo.org.