From RPA 3-2-2018
Lawmakers in Alabama are pushing new legislation that would allow the state to support public transportation projects. As it stands now, Alabama is one of five states in the U.S. that does not allow for state funds to support public transit. The legislation that could make funding a possibility are Senate Bill 85 and House Bill 10, which are sponsored by Sen. Rodger Smitherman, D-Birmingham, and State Rep. Jack Williams, R-Vestavia.
The bills are gaining support from community members as well. Alabama Arise Citizens’ Policy Project held a press conference this week to champion the legislation. At the event, both Smitherman and Williams spoke about the benefits of transit projects receiving state support.
“The State constitution says that the transportation money can only go to roads and bridges,” Smitherman said. “President Obama had money in there for public transportation and high speed rail. That is money we could have accessed. If we can get funds, we can get as much as an 80:20 match.”
“There are jobs we need to fill, and people who need jobs,” Williams said. “They need to connect. One way to do that is through public transportation. There is an opportunity that our state has not been able to take advantage of because we did not have funds to match federal dollars. This does not create a line item in the budget, but it creates a pot that funds can come into to support public transportation. This will allow us to have greater opportunities to enhance public transportation for the people of Jefferson County and the people of Alabama.”
Smitherman has gotten his bill through its Senate Committee. Rep. Jack Williams said that getting the bill on the House calendar will be where the challenge is.
Sloan
