Federal Funding
Basics
House GOP Transportation Bill Would Raise Taxes on Transit and Bikes
The bill would amount to a tax increase of more than $200 million annually on American transit agencies.
July 30, 2018
Taxpayers Lose and Banks Win in This Trump Infrastructure Deal
Under Trump, U.S. DOT's grant rules encourage states to finance road projects with private loans that cost more than public borrowing.
January 2, 2018
The Transit Budget in Congress Only Looks Good in Comparison to Trump’s Threats
Back in March, the Trump administration released a budget proposal that included draconian cuts to transit. Now budget bills are moving through the GOP-controlled House and Senate, and while the threat to transit isn't as severe as what the administration was calling for, it's still alarming.
August 1, 2017
Trump’s Budget Is a Disaster for Transit, and His Infrastructure Plan Is a Gift to Wall Street
The Trump administration's fiscal year 2018 budget, released yesterday, includes severe cuts to federal transit funding. Next stop: Congress, which will consider the president's proposal before it passes a budget over the summer.
May 24, 2017
Only Six Cities Are Worthy of Rail Funding, Manhattan Institute Scholar Decrees
A new report from Manhattan Institute senior fellow Aaron Renn argues that the federal government should stop supporting new rail lines in cities across the country.
May 4, 2017
House and Senate Decline Trump’s Request to Gut Transit Funding, For Now
Yesterday, Congress came out with a funding package that keeps the government operating until the end of September. Officially, it's known as the omnibus appropriations package for fiscal year 2017. Unofficially, it's a Republican Congress ignoring the wishes of President Donald J. Trump, and for transit projects around the country, it's what amounts to good news these days.
May 2, 2017
Transit Advocates Launch Call to Action Against Disastrous Trump Budget
Dozens of transit projects across the nation -- as well as walking and biking projects that count on funds from the TIGER program -- are under threat. Transportation for America is urging people to contact their representatives and oppose the cuts.
March 22, 2017
Think of Trump’s Budget as an Attack on Cities
Yesterday Donald Trump released a budget outline that calls for severe cuts to transit, and the reaction was swift and scathing. The National Association of City Transportation Officials called it "a disaster" for cities. Transportation for America said it was a "slap in the face" for local communities that have raised funds to expand transit.
March 17, 2017
Local GOP Reps Counting on Elaine Chao to Trip Up Transit Projects
Acting on the behest of Congressional Republicans opposed to high-speed rail, earlier this month Transportation Secretary Chao delayed a $647 million grant for Caltrain electrification, throwing its future in doubt. It looks like Republicans in other states were watching and learning.
February 27, 2017
It’s Not Just Trump: House GOP Members Ramp Up Road-Building Campaign
Watch out: The leader of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee is making a push for an infrastructure spending spree, even though the current federal transportation funding law doesn't expire for several years. Advocates will have to guard against a new road-building binge.
February 9, 2017
