HomeMy WebLinkAbout08/07/1990, C-8 - FEDERAL BUDGET CUT - TRANSIT °�""� �i�Hlllliffli'' ll�lll city of San suis OBIspo "'j'^?gtTE:
COUNCIL AGENDA REPORT �"NUMBER
FROM: Ken Hampian, Assistant City Administrative Officer
Prepared by: Harry Watson, Transit Manager
SUBJECT: Federal Budget Cut - Transit
CAO RECOMMENDATION: Approve and authorize the Mayor to sign a
letter on behalf of the Council to Senators Cranston and Wilson and
Congressman Panetta asking for enhanced Federal support for public
transit at the local level.
DISCUSSION:
Background
President Bush has announced his support of a tax increase to deal
with the massive Federal deficit. As a part of the process,
Congressional leaders are currently discussing the specific mix of
tax increases and spending reductions that they will propose to
deal with the deficit situation.
The Federal Transit Program of which San Luis Obispo has relied on
in the past for the purchase of its rolling stock and to a lesser
degree small operation assistance grants, is currently in the hands
of the budget negotiators.
Two points need to be made to our elected officials.
1. Further cuts in transit funding must not be made.
Transit funding has been cut 50% - in real terms in the
past nine years. With the potential for increase costs
with the impending Clean-Air Act and the Americans with
Disabilities Act, more Federal funding, not less would
be appropriate. Now more than ever Transit is playing
an increasing role in both cleaning up our environment
and lessening the impact on our streets and roads of
increasing numbers of automobiles. Further cuts in
funding will make these goals more unattainable.
2. Gas tax increases should not be used for deficit
reduction. The very funding source for assistance
historically given to transit systems throughout the
nation has come from the Federal gas tax. Using the gas
tax as a budget balancing mechanism would seriously
cripple the ability of most rural systems and many urban
systems to maintain even their existing level of
service, let alone keeping up with any growth rate that
might take place.
Q" "111PRl���jl city of San'TUIS o81Spo
Mrso COUNCIL AGENDA REPORT
Council Agenda Report
Page Two
FISCAL IMPACT:
If the Urban Mass Transportation Act (UMTA) is no longer funded,
San Luis Obispo would be required to use all of its enterprise
Transportation Development Act (TDA) funds, and supplement with
other funds if it is to continue its transit commitment. Currently
TDA is used for the operation of the transit activity with any
unused TDA monies going for streets and roads maintenance. UMTA
funds have traditionally been used to purchase our buses along with
minor operating grants.
ATTACMUMTS:
Recommended letters to our Senators and Congressman are attached
for your consideration.
HW\bugcut
Attachments:
Letter to Senators
Letter to Congressman Leon Panetta
r
July 19, 1990
The Honorable Senator
United States Senate
Senate Office Building
Washington, DC 20510
Dear Senator
I am writing to express my support for enhancing and expanding the role of public transit
in San Luis Obispo County and in towns and cities across the nation. SLO Transit provides
jobs,transports employees to jobs, helps reduce air pollutibn,increases mobility choices and
affords greater independence for handicapped and elderly persons, low income individuals
and persons living in San Luis Obispo.
In 1991, Congress will .re-write and reauthorize the federal transit program. In the
reauthorization process, bask your support for a clear statement of national purpose to:
I. expand the availability, use and investment in public transit; and
2. a commitment to expand federal transit investment to reverse the ten-year
50% federal "decline in.transit funding that has taken place.
Only an expanded federal program and clear federal goals can ensure the continued
mobility and economic growth of our community.
As you consider the Surface Transportation Assistance Act, please keep in mind transit's
importance to San Luis Obispo and to the cities across America.
Sincerely,
Ron Dunin
Mayor
C \senate
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July 19, 1990
The Honorable Congressman Leon Panetta
United States House of Representatives
House of Representatives
Washington, DC 20515
Dear Congressman Panetta:
I am writing to expre"ss my support for enhancing and expanding the role of public transit
in San Luis Obispo County and in towns and cities across the;nation. SLO Transit provides
jobs,transports employees to jobs, helps reduce air pollution, increases mobility choices and
affords greater independence for handicapped and elderly persons, low income individuals
and persons living in San Luis Obispo.
In 1991, Congress will re-write and reauthorize the federal transit program. In the
reauthorization process, I ask your support for a clear statement of national purpose to:
i
1. expand the availability, use and investment in public transit; and
2. a commitment to expand federal transit investment to reverse the ten-year
50% federal decline in transit funding that has taken place.
Only an expanded federal program and clear federal goals can ensure the continued
mobility and economic growth of our community.
As you consider the Surface Transportation Assistance Act, please keep in mind transit's
importance to San Luis Obispo and to the cities across America.
Sincerely,
Ron Dunin
Mayor
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