San José Spotlight reports on the controversy over a legislative proposal (AB 1091) to change the composition of the Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority (VTA) board and the method of appointing members. The bill would dilute the City of San Jose’s influence in making board decisions and replace elected officials with nine “expert residents” appointed by local government entities. The bill’s sponsor, citing a series of civil grand jury reports critical of VTA’s governance structure, says, “Transit riders, taxpayers and VTA staff deserve a board of directors that have the interest and ability to dedicate the time necessary to provide appropriate oversight and meet our region’s complex transportation needs.”
