Texas Legislation Would End Federal Funding for Transit

SB 1048, proposed by Senator Bob Hall (R-Rockwall), levels an unprecedented attack on transit in Texas. Although it's probably an extreme example of dead-on-arrival legislating, it's notable that an elected official would consider such a proposal.

2 minute read

March 11, 2015, 9:00 AM PDT

By James Brasuell @CasualBrasuell


Texas State Capitol building

tex1sam / Flickr

"A North Texas state senator has introduced a bill in the Texas legislature that would effectively prohibit the state or any of its subsidiaries, such as cities and transit authorities, from using money from the U.S. Federal Transit Administration (FTA) for rail mass transportation," reports Lyndon Henry.

According to Henry, Dallas, Houston, and Austin would be particularly impacted by SB 1048, "since such a law would prohibit them from even maintaining their rail systems with essential assistance from the FTA, the primary agency managing federal mass transportation funding programs. Like virtually all U.S. public transit systems, Texas rail systems depend significantly on federal funding both to maintain and expand their operations, which would appear to be seriously threatened by the pending legislation."

Coverage by Michael Glass for Government Executive notes Sen. Hall's Tea Party allegiance and proposal of legislation in February to end funding for organizations "accredited by the United Nations to implement a policy that originated in the Agenda 21 plan."

The Texas State Legislature has recently provided a much different example of Republican leadership, in the form of a bill that "would require county commissioners courts to sign off on toll projects in their jurisdictions," according to a separate article by Brandon Formby. That bill would actually return power to local officials in making transportation decisions, though Formby describes the legislation as motivated to slow down the proliferation of toll roads.

Sunday, March 8, 2015 in Examiner.com

stack of books

Planetizen’s Top Planning Books of 2023

The world is changing, and planning with it.

November 24, 2023 - Planetizen Team

Close-up of 'Red Line Subway Entry' sign with Braille below and train logo above text in Chicago, Illinois.

Chicago Red Line Extension Could Transform the South Side

The city’s transit agency is undertaking its biggest expansion ever to finally bring rail to the South Side.

November 24, 2023 - The Architect's Newspaper

Diagram of visibility at urban intersection.

How ‘Daylighting’ Intersections Can Save Lives

Eliminating visual obstructions can make intersections safer for all users.

November 27, 2023 - Strong Towns

People walking on paved path in green city park with trees and tall city skyscrapers in background.

Green Spaces Benefit Neighborhoods—When Residents can Reach Them

A study comparing green space and walkability scores found that, without effective access to local parks, residents of greener neighborhoods don’t reap the health benefits.

December 3 - American Heart Association News

Aerial view of Eugene, Oregon at dusk with mountains in background.

Eugene Ends Parking Minimums

In a move that complies with a state law aimed at reducing transportation emissions, Eugene amended its parking rules to eliminate minimum requirements and set maximum parking lot sizes.

December 3 - NBC 16

White, blue, and red Chicago transit bus at an urban bus station with shelter.

Chicago Announces ‘Better Streets for Buses’ Plan

The plan establishes a ‘toolkit’ of improvements to make the bus riding experience more reliable, comfortable, and accessible.

December 3 - City of Chicago

News from HUD User

HUD's Office of Policy Development and Research

New Updates on PD&R Edge

HUD's Office of Policy Development and Research

"Rethinking Commuter Rail" podcast & Intercity Bus E-News

Chaddick Institute at DePaul University

Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools

This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.

Planning for Universal Design

Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.