TRU joins the Michigan Transportation Team in decrying the Transportation budget bill passed by the Michigan Senate yesterday. Here’s what some of MTT had to say about it:
Calling the proposed 2011 Department of Transportation budget bill a scheme to “rob Peter to pay Paul,” Michigan business and labor leaders today called on the Michigan Legislature to put partisanship aside and find a real solution to the state’s transportation funding crisis.
The plan is built entirely on cuts, rather than desperately needed new revenue.
The Republican-led Senate yesterday approved Senate Bill 1164 on a 21-17 vote. The bill now goes to the House Appropriations Committee for action.A multitude of transit services and programs were slashed by $7 million.
SB 1164 is a clear raid upon Comprehensive Transportation Fund (CTF), intended for public transportation projects. The bill also takes state matching funds for the federal Job Access Reverse Commute (JARC) program, which will result in an even greater shortfall in matching funds for public transportation projects in 2011.“By cutting money for programs like Transportation to Work/Work First, the state is making it even more difficult for people who rely on transit services to get to work, attend school or contribute to the state’s economy,” said Clark Harder, executive director of the Michigan Public Transit Association (MPTA). “There is no effort to help capture more than $30 million in federal transit dollars that will be sent to other states.”
Transportation experts say funding should come from dependable resources, such as vehicle registration fees, user fees on gasoline and diesel fuel, and other new funding strategies.
Michigan residents can voice their concerns by calling a toll-free number – 888-719-3087 – set up by MTT. Callers simply enter their five-digit ZIP code to be connected with their legislative offices.
The Michigan Transportation Team (MTT) is a broad-based, bipartisan partnership of business, labor, local government, associations and citizens with the common goal of improving Michigan’s transportation infrastructure.
