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102nd Legislature, Week 16: Senate and House Budgets Reported from Committee

— #MILegTransit

The Senate and House recommendations for the FY2023-24 state budget were reported from their respective appropriations committees this week. Both chambers proposed an increase to Local Bus Operations funding .

Senate budget, as passed: SB 178 Analysis

House budget, as passed: HB 4309 Analysis

Corey Corey (@coreyjrowe)

Senate transpo budget has passed!

• $693M total increase (total $6.8B)

• $62.3M increase for transit and rail including local bus operations (total $484M)

• $100M for capital projects

• $100M to "encourage high-speed rail"

• $50M for grade separation

#MILegTransit

May 10, 2023 • 5:03 pm
Corey Corey (@coreyjrowe)

For perspective: We're currently advocating for the larger of two proposed LBO funding increases ($75M). Four years ago, we fought a ~$36M *decrease* in transit funds in favor of road maintenance.

Excerpts are from the 2019 House Transpo Approp. budget proposal. #MILegTransit

$11M reduction in transit capital, $6M reduction in local bus operations, $300,000 reduction in overall transit funding from the Comprehensive Transportation Fund compared to the Governor's recommendations $6M less for transit research, $4M less for disabled and senior citizen services, and $500,000 less for transportation to work programs than recommended by the Governor, as well as elimination of $195,000 previously allocated for van pooling
Corey Corey (@coreyjrowe)

Budgets are very similar. House allocated more than the Senate to local bus operations, but the Senate set aside money to explore high speed rail (again, emphasis on explore).

Now the real fun can begin: Conference committee to smooth out the differences between these bills

May 10, 2023 • 11:13 pm
June 10, 2023 • 8:27 pm