Why It Matters

The Central Oklahoma Transportation and Parking Authority (COTPA), which operates Oklahoma City's EMBARK transit system, has registered its first-ever federal lobbying presence, filing a lobbying disclosure with Cardinal Infrastructure LLC in April 2026. The move comes as federal transit funding faces significant pressure from the Trump administration and a critical reauthorization deadline looms.

By the Numbers

The LDA filing from April 30, 2026 lists no dollar amount for the engagement. The lobbying team assigned to COTPA includes two lobbyists: Jamie Harrell and Auke Mahar-Piersma, both of Cardinal Infrastructure LLC.

Cardinal Infrastructure generated approximately $1.745 million in lobbying revenue across its full client roster in the 12 months before this registration, working almost exclusively with public transit agencies and transportation-related entities.

The Agenda

The lobbying compliance disclosure lists only the broad Transportation issue code, with no specific legislation or issues identified in the filing. Cardinal Infrastructure's other transit clients have historically focused on issues including IIJA implementation and reauthorization, Capital Investment Grant program policy, and Transportation, Housing, and Urban Development appropriations.

No specific bills or issues are listed for COTPA in this registration.

Broader Context

The timing of this congressional lobbying registration coincides with two significant developments in federal transit policy. First, the Trump administration has proposed cutting the Federal Transit Administration's Capital Investment Grant Program by approximately $1.2 billion, nearly half its total funding, according to Streetsblog USA. Separately, Transportation for America has reported that the administration proposed eliminating dedicated federal funding for public transit, a move it described as potentially devastating for transit agencies across the country. A February 2025 Transportation for America analysis found that over $20 billion in active projects nationwide could be at risk.

Second, the federal transit authorization established under the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act is set to expire in September 2026, according to the Congressional Research Service. That expiration will require Congress to pass a new surface transportation reauthorization bill, a process that will shape federal transit funding for years ahead.

COTPA has active federal grants at stake. EMBARK's website notes the agency has received more than $10 million in federal grants for bus fleet upgrades. An ACOG MPO agenda from February 2025 also references a RAISE grant awarded to EMBARK for a transit center feasibility study.

Between the Lines

Oklahoma's congressional delegation has been active on transportation and infrastructure funding. Sen. James Lankford (R-OK) announced in January 2026 that the Senate passed appropriations bills, including Transportation, Housing, and Urban Development funding, with specific Oklahoma infrastructure projects included. Rep. Stephanie Bice (R-OK-5), as Vice Chair of the Appropriations Subcommittee on Transportation, Housing, and Urban Development, stated in January 2026 that she was "particularly proud" of provisions modernizing transportation infrastructure and "strengthening transit systems."

Relevant congressional hearings in the past year have included a Transportation and Infrastructure Committee Member Day in May 2025 and an April 2025 hearing titled America Builds: The Need for a Long-term Solution for the Highway Trust Fund, focused on surface transportation reauthorization. Neither hearing specifically referenced COTPA.

Competitive Landscape

Cardinal Infrastructure's existing client roster offers a window into the lobbying landscape COTPA is entering. The firm already represents the Regional Transportation Authority of Central Oklahoma at no reported cost, focused on Capital Investment Grant program issues and THUD appropriations. Other Cardinal Infrastructure clients active on similar issues include the Valley Metro Regional Public Transportation Authority ($170,000 over the past year), the Hennepin County Regional Railroad Authority ($165,000), and the Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority ($120,000), all focused on IIJA implementation, Capital Investment Grants, and THUD appropriations.

The Bottom Line

COTPA's entry into federal lobbying marks a notable shift for an agency that had no prior presence in the lobbying disclosure system. The registration arrives at a moment when federal transit funding is under review, and a major reauthorization process is underway. The two Cardinal Infrastructure lobbyists assigned to the account both bring direct experience from the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, where both previously served. Whether the engagement produces results will depend heavily on how the reauthorization debate and appropriations process unfold in the months ahead.

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