Just in case you worried that New York is alone when it comes to legislatures stealing money that should be dedicated to transit, think again. As Transportation Nation dismayingly reports today, the 112th Congress has adopted rules for the House that allow for transportation funds to be used for non-transportation purposes. A rule shielding those funds from such a misappropriation had been in place since 1998, and it seems clear that the G.O.P.-led House will try to cut transit and infrastructure spending over the next two years.
Local politicians and transit agencies aren’t happy. Earlier this week, Jay Walder penned a letter to Congressman Anthony Weiner. In it, he urged the New York State Democrat to speak out against this parliamentary maneuvering. “The proposed revision,” the MTA CEO and Chair said, “would allow highway user fees to be applied to other types of investments, reducing Congress’ ability to provide predictable levels of funding for transportation projects.” A significant portion of the MTA’s capital money comes from the federal government, and at a time when the agency must fill a $10 billion gap in its current five-year spending plan, this move could not come at a worse time.
Transit advocates expert this move to reduce federal infrastructure spending by approximately $7-$8 billion. For more on the ramifications of this decision, check out coverage on The Transport Politic.
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