NEWS & EVENTS FROM THE WEEK ENDING FEBRUARY 20, 2026
Per Politico, the Trump administration is pushing a legal change that could block states, cities and towns from offering free transportation to unauthorized immigrants. The draft from the Department of Transportation would prohibit state and local governments from using federal transit money to move migrants.
Following an order from a federal judge the Trump administration this week transferred funds owed to the Gateway Development Commission since payments ceased in October. Work on the transformational project is expected to resume next week.
Funding had been suspended over claims the project was not aligned with new contracting rules issued by the administration. Work came to a halt on February 6 when all resources had been exhausted, suspending nearly 1,000 union jobs.
An appeal in the case is expected to be heard February 23.
FTA Administrator Marc Molinaro is departing the agency Friday, February 20, to return to New York. It is believed that he is planning to run for NY State Assembly. Molinaro previously represented New York’s 19th congressional district as a member of the US House of Representatives.
The Federal Transit Administration is working to review, update, modify, or rescind certain Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) requirements and guidelines to conform with recent executive orders. As such, transit agencies previously required to submit their EEO programs by March 1, 2026, have received a deadline extension to October 1. Questions should be directed to FTACivilRightsSupport@dot.gov.
