the charter requires that the sf m.t.a. ard members receive four hours of training annually about their legal and financial obligations as the board, so this training is not designed to satisfy this. the code requirement that all board and commission members receive sunshine training annually, and it is not designed to set aside a state law requirement that board and commission members received ethics and other training by annually. -- biannualy. we're going to talk about the powers and the duties of the board and its members and also just a little bit about open meeting laws. if you have any questions, please feel free to stop me. if you have any questions, i can answer them. let me know if you have questions. i am sorry. the mta as an agency has unique powers, not held by other agencies within the city. the mta has exclusive authority over acquisitions of property, construction, use of this property. it has exclusive authority to contract, to purchase, and to lease. the sf mta can accept and spend grant funds without the b

as you all know, the sf m.t.a. has a degree of control over their budget. this is unique among city budgets. the sf mta segments a balanced two-year budget to the mayor and the board of supervisors for an even number year. odd numbered years such as this one, the sf m.t.a. was required to submit a budget amendment only if it was seeking an increase in appropriations or fare increases, or things that were not included in the two- year budget that you submitted. the sf mta budget is approved by operational law. this is different than any other agency. their budgets are approved by the board. this is unless it is rejected by a supermajority by the board of supervisors. if the sf mta wants an increase in general fund spending that is over the guaranteed base amount, then you would have to receive the normal, but you would go through the normal budgetary review process and get approval from the mayor and the board of supervisors for increases over your general fund spending. and of course, as you have heard today, the sf mta board with the board of supervisors ap