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Let’s Not Scrap Buses for More Highways
Below is a message from our partners at the Michigan Public Transit Association about proposed cuts to state funding for transit. The proposed move isn’t to save money or address the state’s deficit but a move to simply shift money from transit to highways. The state already forgoes millions in federal transit funding each year because as a state we underfund our transit system. By cutting operational funds for transit, we will eliminations to popular programs like para-transit programs and dial-a-ride systems for seniors in addition to standard bus services. While we need more money for our transportation system as a whole, cutting transit to fund highway improvements isn't the answer.
Please read and make sure to contact the following legislators and let them know that effective transit and alternative means of transportation is essential to moving Michigan forward.
We have just learned this morning that Rep. Dave Agema will, tomorrow morning at 9 a.m., offer a budget recommendation to the House Appropriations Subcommittee, that will cut $20 million from the bus operating line item. He wants to give $10 million of that to the State Transportation Fund for state highways and $10 million to local roads.
Obviously, a $20 million hit on the operating line item will have very damaging effects on public transit agencies. It is fair to say that this would drive every transit system’s percentage of state support to well below 30%.
We’ve also learned that the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee will convene at 9:30 tomorrow morning and recommend a $10 million transfer from the bus capital line item and a $5 million transfer from the Operating line item, with all of that funding to be transferred into the General Fund to help address the deficit there. Certainly we don’t like any transfers but the Senate proposal is in line with recent transfers that we have been able to withstand and address the structural deficit, while Rep. Agema’s recommendation simply reflects an ideoligical stance against public transportation.
I would like to ask you to make contact TODAY the following legislators and let them know just how damaging this cut would be to your local transit systems.
Here are the key legislators:
--Rep. Ken Goike, Macomb County [517-373-0820 KenGoike@house.mi.gov]
--Rep. Phil Potvin, Wexford, Mecosta and Osceola Counties [517-373-1747 PhilPotvin@house.mi.gov]
--Rep. Nancy Jenkins, Lenawee County [517-373-1706 NancyJenkins@house.mi.gov]
I’m urging you to call their offices today and be as specific as you can as to how harmful Rep. Agema’s recommendation would be to tranist in your community.
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