Voters in six of seven transit districts voted to impose the higher tax last year. The BRCT recommended replacing all of the lost transit revenue with state-collected dollars. As many legislators believe I-695 essentially took the state out of the transit business, it s likely the governor s recommendation will be highest transit number discussed this session. Just how that would be accomplished is unclear. As well, the nature of the revenue package and the means by which voters would authorize the new taxes has yet to be determined.
Much work remains before the legislature can establish a transportation budget.
The task itself is daunting. While efficiencies and reforms are seen as an inherent part of any investment package associated with new taxes and fees, agreement on reforms may be elusive. As well, how much of the reform and revenues package lawmakers choose to refer to the voters is unclear. The governor s original proposal provides a useful starting point. Initially, the governor was the target of some legislative criticism for leaving the details of his revenue package unspecified.