Transit money bill advances to Senate
Tuesday, May 2, 2017 - Posted by Rich Miller
* Illinois Public Radio reports on delayed mass transit funds…
Downstate transit is funded in part through city and county sales taxes. But before that money can be spent, it passes through state government. That means transit agencies have to wait in a long line to get paid — Illinois’ so-called backlog of bills stands at more than $11 billion.
State Rep. Katie Stuart, a Democrat from Edwardsville, is sponsoring legislation that would essentially pull downstate transit out of line, sending them tax money directly.
“We have transit districts downstate that are under threat of closing, and we have people that can’t get to school, and jobs, and medical appointments,” Stuart says.
In a fiscal note on the legislation, the Illinois comptroller warns that this would remove her discretion to say whether some other claim on state money should take priority over transit — like schools, drug treatment centers, or even state employee paychecks. But spokeswoman Jamey Dunn says the office is not taking a position for or against the bill.
Dunn says the comptroller’s office released $19.3 million for the transit agencies Monday, but still owes $70 million.
The legislation was approved in the Illinois House last week on a bipartisan vote of 102-12, and goes next to the state Senate.
* From the comptroller’s fiscal note…
Provisions of HB 2453 would require the deposit of transit funds derived from sales taxes directly into the Downstate Public Transportation Fund that would amount to an estimated $205 million annually. Currently, the Office of the Comptroller makes transfers from the General Revenue Fund into the Downstate Public Transportation Fund as available balances in the GRF allows throughout the fiscal year while facing a general funds backlog of bills at $12.6 billion. This legislation would essentially remove the Comptroller’s discretion for making such payments for downstate transit districts from cash management criteria used by the Comptroller in balancing payments for all the other pending obligations such as for education, medical programs, certain human service programs, debt service and State payrolls. As of March 24, 2017 the pending backlog for the Downstate transit programs was estimated at $70 million.
So, wait a second.
When money is piling up in special accounts for higher education and social services, legislators shouldn’t remove the “pressure” by releasing those funds? But when money for transit agencies is caught in the impasse morass, it’s OK to appropriate the money?
- Gruntled University Employee - Tuesday, May 2, 17 @ 2:42 pm:
Something tells me Squeezy aint gonna like this idea.
- 47th Ward - Tuesday, May 2, 17 @ 2:50 pm:
Well, it’s important for poor students to be able to travel to the community college they can no longer afford to attend.
- RNUG - Tuesday, May 2, 17 @ 3:16 pm:
Let’s just get everything paid by either legislative mandate or judical order.
Once we reach that point, there will be no need for a budget other than as a means to set the needed tax rates.
- blue dog dem - Tuesday, May 2, 17 @ 3:44 pm:
This is why I blame Rauner. A budget with 10%-20% across the board cuts on funds like this. So much for sharing the pain. I see my man Costello is intrtoducing a bill to increase LGDF. I might stop my Costello or governor campaign.
- Demoralized - Tuesday, May 2, 17 @ 4:44 pm:
So basically transit is funded with a dedicated funding source but the Comptroller doesn’t want to give up her ability to divert those funds to other uses. Got it.
And blue dog, you might want to include suggestions for replacing the revenue you constantly advocate taking away from local governments. Simply shouting “cut, cut, cut” without any thought as to the impact is lazy and irresponsible.
- blue dog dem - Tuesday, May 2, 17 @ 5:10 pm:
Dem. Sorry. The pain has got to be spread across the state. When we, as a state, were so irresponsible with our spending for decades, then in my opinion we must go through tough times.
As a side note, how many Munger type hires are there in this state? Be honest with yourself. I can find in my own city and county, at least 1/2 dozen irrelevant positions. Nice to have when your flush with cash, but certainly can be done without. Think any school systems are colleges has any fluff? Again, be honest.
- On the Job - Tuesday, May 2, 17 @ 5:42 pm:
The Comptroller answer is a political one not a factual one. Transit funds are not part of the discretionary budget like the other items she lists. The current law provide she transfer the money asap after the first of the month. She does not have the discretion she claims but this is Illinois and both sides regularly take discretion they don’t have.
- Just Sayin .... - Tuesday, May 2, 17 @ 5:56 pm:
It’s a GFF transfer so yes it does compete with all other GRF obligation of $12 billion bill backlog.
- Newspaper Face - Tuesday, May 2, 17 @ 10:01 pm:
Gas, Ass, or Grass. Nobody rides for free.
- wordslinger - Wednesday, May 3, 17 @ 8:29 am:
Clearly, the GOP members who backed this were off their Ritalin and temporarily lost their “focus.”
Obviously, with all those GOP votes, the governor didn’t put a brick on this.
Just more evidence that squeeze the beast when it comes to higher ed and social services is an objective, not collateral damage.