Governor Schwarzenegger’s proposed Budget cuts funding for public transit

Governor Schwarzenegger announced his budget proposal for fiscal year 2007-08 last week. Unfortunately, his proposal envisages to take money that is supposed to go towards public transportation funding and use that for school buses. I think this is a move in the wrong direction. Late last year, California voters approved a large bond measure that are supposed to pay for investments in California’s transportation infrastructure, yet here is the Governor taking money away from the fund that is supposed to cover the operating costs of that infrastructure. Isn’t that kind of contrary to what the voters asked for?

The biggest savings, $627 million, comes from using extra money in the state’s public transit account instead of money from the general fund to pay for busing students to school. The account has seen a windfall of tax revenue from higher gas and diesel prices.

But some argue that taking money away from public transit is going in the wrong direction.

“It’s ironic that in the same 24 hours the governor is being applauded for his commitment to reducing emissions caused by driving, he’s cutting public transportation,” said Carli Paine, transportation program director for the Transportation and Land Use Coalition.

[Quoted from Schwarzenegger’s balancing act of spending and cuts ]

Posted in: California | January 13, 2007 10:53 pm

2 Comments »

Adron, on January 16, 2007 @ 11:25 am

I know education is important, but again, this is another thing the US didn’t have a problem with until the Guv’ment took it over. It’s kinda silly.

But on another note, education is nice, but transportation is vital. Transportation choices that are intelligent (such as electrifying rail lines) help the environment too.

The Governer needs to come up with some REAL solutions for the silly school bus paradigm. It is old, it is offensive, and it is ridiculous how much entrenched union costs and support the school busses have.

If anything they should utilize public transit along with everyone else. I know there are a million reasons against this but there are even more logical reasons to be rid of the silly school bussing system.

Carmella, on May 29, 2007 @ 4:59 pm

I’m sorry Adron, but I beg to differ. You obviously don’t have children in school. The working-class citizens have paid a hefty price for no bussing. Its very difficult for a parent with children in school with no transportation. Transportation is a vital part of education, afterall, children have to GET to school. Personally, I think it should become a part of the safety regulation.