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about me
Name Katherine Kirby Neubert Birthday 09.13.87 Email katherineneubert@hotmail.com -- writer, jolter, aspiring photojournalist.
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alexis design the daily collegian the daily jolt the new york times wordswift |
Friday, June 6, 2008
Chances of getting long-term federal funding for Metro are far-off for this year, according to members of the region’s congressional delegation on Thursday.The House passed a bill in the last Congress that would have authorized a $1.5 billion federal match over the next decade. Rep. Tom Davis, R-Va. shepherded the bill. Because Davis is no longer at the post of being previous chair to the committee with jurisdiction over the District of Columbia, it seems unlikely that supporters will be able to muster the votes this time. “Passing the legislation remains a priority for me and other area members,” House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer, D-Md., said in remarks prepared for a regional transportation forum. “However, it is facing stiff procedural obstacles and misguided, conservative opposition.” Coburn stated in an op-ed piece last month in The Washington Times, that it should be up to Metro riders and their local governments to pay for improvements, not taxpayers from other parts of the country. He also accused Metro of poor management and waste. Meanwhile, Sen. Ben Cardin is pushing for money for transit in a climate change bill under consideration in the Senate. The bill that would provide $171 billion to support existing transit systems and develop new lines, also appeared headed toward defeat on Thursday. Supporters of Metro have long said they feel the federal government should play a role in maintaining and improving it. After all, doesn’t the metro involve the entire DC Metropolitan Area? Shouldn’t the government pay for something like that? “There is a clear federal interest in Metro,” Hoyer told regional transportation officials at the forum. “More than 40 percent of riders during peak ridership are federal employees. The federal government relies heavily on Metro for its evacuation plan of the nation’s capital.” Obviously, the three jurisdictions that Metro runs through must also contribute funds to get the federal match. The District and Maryland have taken care of that, but Virginia is having a problem because Metro funding was part of a state transportation package passed last year that was subsequently struck down. On the issue, Davis commented, “I don’t think you’re going to be getting a transportation bill out of Virginia this year” Without the funding, Metro is asking its board of directors to shift priorities on some of its projects to make sure “hundreds of millions of urgent capital needs” are met, Metro General Manager John Catoe said. And by 2010, “we will need those dollars replaced,” Catoe added. Federal Transit Administrator James Simpson said he is concerned about moving ahead with the planned extension of the Metro, given the existing system’s unfunded capital needs. "Kat" [
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