LISTEN: Metro Hires Former NOVA Congressman To Lobby For Federal $$$

Heather Curtis
WMAL.com

WASHINGTON — (WMAL) The Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority signed a $150,000 contract with the firm Deloitte to enlist the services of former Virginia Rep. Tom Davis to help the transit agency get desperately needed money from the federal government.

“I thought it was a smart move,” said Rep. Gerry Connolly who added Davis is well connected and respected, especially among congressional Republicans. “If we’re gonna ever get additional federal support for Metro, someone has to work that Republican side of the aisle to flesh out votes,” Connolly added.

Metro spokesperson Sherri Ly said in a statement, Davis has until the end of this year to help WMATA’s in-house government relations team with strategies to wok with the new administration and congress to maintain current federal funding and explore opportunities for infrastructure development.

Connolly said one of the main goals Davis will have to help Metro achieve is extending the authorization of the 10 year capital investment program. Davis is credited with getting that program, now in its seventh year, implemented. It has given WMATA $150 million a year in federal money to buy new rail cars, repair leaks in tunnels and address safety concerns.

The other goal is convincing Congress to contribute to WMATA’s operating budget. Maryland, Virginia and D.C. contribute to WMATA’s operating budget, but the federal government does not.

“I think Tom’s got his work cut out for him,” Connolly said.

He added he is looking forward to working with Davis and hearing his ideas.