Senate Rules Committee Appoints Senator Dave Cortese to California Transportation Commission
Sacramento, CA - Today, the Senate Rules Committee, chaired by Senate President pro Tempore Mike McGuire (D-North Coast), appointed Senator Dave Cortese (D-San Jose) to the California Transportation Commission.
“Senator Dave Cortese has dedicated his career to deliver on road and transit projects and we couldn’t be more excited for his leadership on the Commission,” said Pro Tem McGuire. “The Senate Rules Committee is confident he’ll work to tackle our tough transportation challenges and work overtime to build a stronger California.”
Senator Cortese, who represents San Jose and much of Santa Clara County in the heart of Silicon Valley and serves as Chair of the Senate’s Transportation Committee, has served as a member and former Chair of the Metropolitan Transportation Commission. He also served on the Valley Transportation Authority. Senator Cortese also spearheaded an effort to merge the Association of Bay Area Governments and Metropolitan Transportation Commission’s efforts to advance smarter land-use policies for the entire Bay Area.
“I am deeply honored to be appointed to the California Transportation Commission by Senate Leader Mike McGuire and my fellow colleagues in the California Senate,” Senator Cortese said. “Transportation is more than just infrastructure — it's about building connections, ensuring safety, and creating pathways for education, housing, and professional opportunity. As Chair of the Senate Transportation Committee, past leadership with the Bay Area’s Metropolitan Transportation Commission (MTC), and two decades as a board member of the Valley Transportation Authority (VTA) in Santa Clara County, I look forward to leveraging my experience to enhance California’s world-renowned transportation system.”
Senator Cortese previously served on the Santa Clara County Board of Supervisors for more than a decade – four of those years as Board President – and served on the San Jose City Council for eight years. He also was a trustee for the East Side Union High School District for eight years.
Dave Cortese lives in San Jose. State legislators appointed to the California Transportation Commission serve as ex-officio, non-voting members. The Commission meets every other month at different locations around California. The next meeting is March 21-22 in San Jose. There is no term limit to this appointment, as legislative members serve at the pleasure of their appointing authority.
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Mike McGuire is President pro Tempore of the California Senate. He represents the North Coast of California, which stretches from the Golden Gate Bridge to the Oregon border, including Del Norte, Trinity, Humboldt, Lake, Mendocino, Sonoma, and Marin counties. Website of Senate Leader McGuire: https://sd02.senate.ca.gov/