WASHINGTON — U.S. Rep. Hank Johnson (D-Ga.) on Friday introduced a bill that would provide $20 billion annually for the next four years to bolster public transit operating budgets.
The Stronger Communities Through Better Transit Act would create a grant program for projects that make “substantial improvements to transit service” by increasing routes and frequencies of buses and trains. It would also clearly define funding for “areas of persistent poverty” and “underserved communities.”
It is the third time Johnson has introduced a version of the bill. Legislation introduced in 2021 and 2024 died in committee.
The latest version, available here, would set the federal funding share for a project at no more than 50%. That would rise ot up to 80% for areas of persistent poverty and underserved communities, or 100% for programs for Indian tribes.
“This kind of funding is a game-changer for Atlanta and communities across the nation,” Johnson said in a press release. “Simply put, people could get to more places in less time using transit. Jobs, schools, and other daily destinations that previously took too long to reach would become more accessible. People would feel less strain on household budgets as their transportation costs shrink. They would have more time to spend with their families as time spent commuting falls.”
The Transport Workers Union and Transportation Trades Department of the AFL-CIO are among organizations supporting the bill.
“The federal government inexplicably funds transit capital investments without providing the operations funding to ensure that buses and trains can run safely, on time, and frequently enough to benefit working families,” TWU International President John Samuelsen said in the press release. “This bill would end a transit funding practice that doesn’t make sense and ensure that federal dollars can go toward transit operating expenses that improve service and ridership.” TTD President Greg Regan said that with the funding, “transit agencies would have the opportunity to increase service frequency, expand service areas, extend operating hours and overall improve the passenger experience.”
Funds for local transit also provide some help all the people of the US and even out of country persons. This balkanization calls by some are petty and counterproductive.
Read the 10th Amendment to the Constitution.
And justify running the country on borrowed money.
You may disagree with my remarks, but you shouldn’t call them “petty”.
GOP=DOA
This bill doesn’t have a snowballs chance this day in time.
Maybe there needs to be an orderly phase-out of federal dollars for local needs.
There’s a very simple reason for federal aid for local needs. States and localities are required to “balance” their budgets. Feds are not. Feds can (and do) print money ad infinitum. In “balancing” a state or local budget, federal money, which is borrowed, counts as “revenue” to the states and locals. This is accounting fraud. It needs to stop.
Would my policy injure local transit? Yes it would be devastating. Many or most systems would go BK, which is one way to reduce salaries and benefits, and also to reduce pension payments to existing retirees. Bad news. But it needs to happen.
“Would my policy injure local transit? Yes it would be devastating. Many or most systems would go BK, which is one way to reduce salaries and benefits, and also to reduce pension payments to existing retirees. Bad news. But it needs to happen.”
Charles when you say things like the above you come of like a heartless individual. It seems you really have a problem with working folks being paid a fair wage and having decent benefits. Why is that? Does it do you personal harm? Does it get into your pocket as much as say the orange one skipping across the middle east working up deals for his companies? Or accepting a gift airplane that will cost billions in taxpayer dollars to retrofit and then be given to trump at the hypothetical end to his term. But just hold on ole boy because the guy you helped elect as king will get in your pocket soon if he hasn’t already, I’ll guarantee it. And when it happens maybe you’ll start having a little empathy for others.
CHRIS — You haven’t made a case for local transit being federally funded.
I’m as pro-transit as anyone. I have been a regular customer of some tax-subsidized systems and an occasional customer of many others. Including the Denver A-Train in the photo, most recently on Good Friday of this year. I cannot make a case for local transit systems being endlessly backstopped by federal money which is borrowed, not real revenue.
I have never argued against tax subsidy for transit. What I have said is that it should be local or state taxes subsidizing transit, not federally fiat money.
How does that make me heartless? What is your solution.
PS When have I ever said that working people shouldn’t be decently paid?
And why is it that liberals can never make an argument that is not straw-man rhetoric? You accuse me of saying things I’ve never said.