Senate confirms two governor appointments to California Transportation Commission amid regional representation concerns

The California State Senate confirmed two nominees to the California Transportation Commission (CTC) on the floor.

Senator Brian Jones (file item announced by Senator Grove on the floor as Senator Grove presented) introduced the first appointment: Jason Elliott for the California Transportation Commission. Senator Grove asked for an aye vote and the appointment was confirmed by roll call; the clerk recorded “Ayes, 34. No 0. The appointment is confirmed.”

The second nominee presented was identified in the transcript as Zahara Minh and later as Zaria Mann; the clerk announced confirmation after debate. Senator Cervantes spoke in support of the nominees but raised concerns that the governor’s appointments left the Inland Empire without representation on the CTC following the late Joseph Tabaloni’s prior service. Cervantes said the Inland Empire is one of the fastest-growing regions and urged the governor to ensure future appointments include an Inland Empire voice on the commission.

Senator Wiener and others also spoke on transportation funding needs statewide and urged that commissioners engage with regions facing large unmet transit and infrastructure needs. Senator Smallwood Cuevas emphasized South L.A. transit needs and the forthcoming demands of the Olympics in Los Angeles as reasons to invest and plan now.

Both confirmations were announced as adopted on the floor; the transcript records both appointments as approved (first confirmation recorded with “Ayes, 34. No 0”; the second confirmation later recorded “Aye. 34. No, 0.”). The transcript contains floor remarks urging commissioners to be responsive to regional needs; senators asked nominees and CTC members to reach out to districts with maintenance and capital shortfalls. No roll-call opposition was recorded on either confirmation in the transcript.