Here we go again: another battle in the ongoing war to prevent the raiding of funds allocated to public transit. An urgent message comes from the Transportation and Land Use Coalition:
Please call your state legislators TODAY and register your opposition to the latest redirection of public transit funds!
In response to a directive from the Governor’s office to come up with over $3 billion in cuts to the current year budget, the Senate Budget Committee voted last night to reallocate $409 million in Public Transportation Account and the Assembly Budget Committee is expected to pass similar legislation this morning.
The 2007-08 budget redirected nearly $1.3 billion in dedicated public transit funding, which TALC and our allies fought throughout the budget process. The California Transit Association sued the state over the redirected funds. A few weeks ago, the Court voided $409 million of the 2007-08 funding raid.
But, instead of returning these funds to the Public Transportation Account, the Senate and Assembly are deleting the original $409 million transfer, the one the Court ruled illegal, and creating a NEW $409 million transfer of PTA dollars to the General Fund.
The full legislature will vote tomorrow–Friday, February 15th– to approve these amendments to the current year budget. That’s why we’re asking you to call your legislators today and urge them to vote No on the $409 million transit funding cut bill.
We know that public transportation is key to reducing our greenhouse gas emissions, reducing traffic congestion, and providing access to jobs, school, and other opportunities. On this Valentine’s Day, please ask your representatives to show their love.
Call today and let your legislators know that you oppose the cuts to public transit funding!
- The Sacramento Bee’s editorial on the cuts and the lawsuit.
- TALC’s fight to protect state funding for public transportation and explanation of state funding for transit.
Transbay Blog 
Something needs to be done to stop the “governator” from raiding not only the state’s transit funds but also the state parks funds as well in light of the recent threats to close down the Railtown 1897 complex in Jamestown. I also believe that there should be a special election to dump “Steriod Boy” before he does any more damage.
Posted by David Fitzpatrick | 15 February 2008, 5:34 pm