Subject: DRAFT Hilary e-mail
From: "Michael Muldoon" <[email-masked]>
To: "Eric Schwerin" <[email-masked]>, <[email-masked]>
Date: Thu, 9 Sep 2010 11:59:05 -0400

To come from RHB:

Hilary,

Per our conversation, find attached a news release on the situation with CAF
and the FTA in addition to a posting from FTA’s website below. The person
you should reach out to at CAF is Virginia Verdeja (
[email-masked]). She’s currently in meetings at Amtrak, but I’d
shoot her an email letting her know the best number to reach you on when she
frees up this afternoon. You can include the pitch in the e-mail or wait to
discuss with her over the phone.

Thanks, Hunter

*METRO Comments on FTA “Buy America" Findings*

September 8, 2010

Today at a press conference hosted by Houston Mayor Annise Parker, METRO’s
leaders commented on the findings of the Federal Transit Administration’s
(FTA) “Buy America” investigation and review of plans to purchase 103 new
light rail vehicles.

Mayor Parker first acknowledged Houston’s need for a first class transit
system and expressed confidence that the FTA supports METRO’s rail-expansion
program. “There is a path forward. It is steep and rocky, but we can do it,”
Mayor Parker said.

METRO Chairman Gilbert Garcia echoed comments by Mayor Parker that the NEW
METRO was committed to resolving issues left over from the previous
administration, including the FTA investigation. “We knew there would be
challenges and we are attacking them one at a time,” Garcia said. “We are
changing the culture at METRO to rebuild trust.”

Acting President & CEO George Greanias said that today’s FTA findings
provide several positive outcomes, while acknowledging the challenges ahead.
“First, the FTA made clear that they support METRO’s rail expansion program.
Also, they laid out a plan to make funds available to keep the program
moving forward. And, they provided a roadmap for how to move forward,
including a re-procurement of the rail car contract.  It will be a steep
climb but we can accomplish it,” Greanias said.

Congress Member Sheila Jackson Lee, who also attended today’s press
conference, expressed strong support among Houston’s Congressional
delegation to see that METRO ultimately receives the $150 million in the
President’s FY 2011 proposed budget for rail expansion.

Greanias underscored that construction currently underway on three
light-rail lines will continue – the North, Southeast and East End lines. He
acknowledged previously that METRO has slowed some work activity on the
North and Southeast lines while awaiting funding commitments from the FTA.
He also said future construction slowdowns are possible in light of cash
constraints. He said a new procurement to purchase rail cars was not
directly linked to construction and that it could take up to 20 months to
complete and have initial vehicles begin arriving for testing.

“We treat what the FTA says very seriously,” Greanias added. “The NEW METRO
is committed to building a strong working relationship with the FTA and to
build trust.”

Finally, Chairman Garcia thanked members of Houston’s Congressional
delegation who attended a meeting this morning with the FTA, including
Congress Members Sheila Jackson Lee, Al Green, Gene Green and John
Culberson. Senator Kay Bailey Hutchison also sent a representative. “We are
truly appreciative of all their hard work on our behalf,” Garcia said