In recent decades, there have been numerous attempts to merge two of the Bay Area's regional agencies, the Association of Bay Area Governments (ABAG) and the Metropolitan Transportation Commission (MTC). An MTC proposal this summer to establish a merged planning department has again opened up the discussion about the future of regional planning in the Bay Area. We believe the current opportunity provides a chance to make a meaningful change and improve the delivery of regional planning for the Bay Area. We also recognize that a merger is is a significant decision with many complications, and it should not be undertaken hastily. We urge ABAG board members and MTC commissioners to move deliberately and thoughtfully forward on a process that leads to more integrated regional planning for the Bay Area.
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