[imc-st.louis] Fwd: House Bill 22 (with $12 million for St. Louis Metro) IS DEAD

[Ben West]

---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: Edward Williams (M.A.T.R.A.-STL) <edwardwilliams at matrastl.org>
Date: Thu, Apr 30, 2009 at 11:40 AM
Subject: House Bill 22 IS DEAD
To: westbywest at gmail.com


Ben West



I just received very bad news sent to me this morning by Rep. Jeanette
Mott Oxford, 59 District



HB 22 (with the $12 million for Metro in it) failed this morning by a
vote of 82-68 in Third Reading.  Quite a few of us who voted YES
yesterday, including me, took a total look at HB 22 and decided we had
to vote NO today.



Here's why: the economic downturn is projected to leave budget
shortfalls for the state of Missouri for years to come.  The spending
in HB 22 quite possibly would cause deep cuts to programs like mental
health, social services, and health in the next two fiscal years.



$12 million is not enough to solve Metro's problems; it's a mere drop
in the bucket.  Even if we won the $12 million, no funds would be
available until after the July 1 start of the new fiscal year.  Due to
the irresponsible spending in HB 22, a few bus routes might be
restored, but the Metro riders might also lose their Medicaid because
of the spending in this bill.  Their mom or dad might lose
home-delivered meals through the area agency on aging.  Their food
stamps might be delayed because of inadequate staffing at the Family
Service Division.  (And add to that that the only solution being
proposed for Metro's long-term needs so far is a regressive sales tax
that ALSO hurts the riders.)



The GOP majority had promised to allow Rep. Morris to add an amendment
for $20 million for Metro yesterday. They broke their word to him.
They also promised to allow Rep. Storch to be second in line after
lunch yesterday to add the money, yet they did not call on her for at
least an hour.  The lack of commitment to Metro by the GOP majority
was demonstrated by this, but even more so was demonstrated by failing
to appropriate an adequate amount of money back in the regular
transportation budget bill that were passed in March.  This General
Assembly under spends on public transportation year after year - heck,
we barely spend at all.  That's where we ought to be spending for
Metro - out of General Revenue.  (And we would do well to fund that
through progressive tax reform to make our income tax system more
modern, more fair, and more adequate.)



There are still several ways funds for Metro could be made available
by this Legislature, but the public MUST keep up pressure about it.



Edward Williams

Founder and Organizer

Metropolitan Area Transit Riders Alliance of ST Louis (M.A.T.R.A.-STL)

7411 S. Grand Ave.

St. Louis, MO 63111-2614

www.matrastl.org

314-749-9233






-- 
Ben West
westbywest at gmail.com