Every weekday, thousands of riders rely on SamTrans to get to work, school, medical appointments or to shop and run errands. Our ability to provide safe and efficient transportation service is influenced by federal, state and local legislation, policy, and regulation.
SamTrans’ Government Affairs staff is responsible for developing and coordinating the organization’s legislative program at the federal, state, regional and local levels. The Government Affairs staff monitors and analyzes the impact of legislative and regulatory issues that impact San Mateo County transportation services and develops a coordinated strategy for responding. The team maintains an active presence in Washington D.C. and Sacramento working closely with the state and federal delegation members to ensure that SamTrans interests are well represented. Government Affairs staff serves as the liaison to the twenty San Mateo County cities, the County, and other local and regional organizations, governments and policymakers.
The Government and Community Affairs team coordinates public outreach and community affairs for SamTrans planning and capital projects. The team serves as the liaison to key local stakeholders and community-based organizations in the communities we serve.
Legislative and regulatory actions have the potential to significantly benefit the Agency’s programs and services. They also have potential to present serious challenges that threaten the Agency’s ability to meet our most critical transportation demands.
The Legislative Program establishes the principles that will guide the Agency’s legislative and regulatory advocacy efforts through the calendar year, including the State legislative session and Congress. The program is intended to be broad enough to cover the wide variety of issues that are likely to be considered during that time and flexible enough to allow the Agency to respond swiftly and effectively to unanticipated developments
Jessica Epstein
Director, Government & Community Affairs
Phone: 650-508-7863
Email: epsteinj@samtrans.com