mr. michael depalo who is the director and general manager of the port authority trans hudson corporation. representing the american public transit association. thank each of you for being here this morning. and we look forward to hearing from each of you as you give us your thoughts and opinions on the grants reform that has been introduced. this bill is on effort by this committee last year and how the grant is -- has been set up. but we recognize that there are challenges and we believe that it is also time for reform. if you could, maybe keep your comments two to three minutes and summarize it for the committee. bear in mind that your written testimony will be placed in the record so before i begin with the open testimony, let me recognize mr. price. >> thank you, mr. chairman. i'd like to join with you in welcoming this panel. it's particularly important, i think, to hear from this panel this morning. we are interested in the current grant programs and how they're working and how they can be improved. but we're, of course, especially focused on this new proposal for national prepared