Metro would get boost under House stimulus plan
JEFFERSON CITY — The Missouri House voted today to give $12 million in federal stimulus funds to Metro to soften budget cuts at the St. Louis transit agency.
The amendment, by Rep. Rachel Storch, D-St. Louis, passed on a voice vote thanks to a judgment call by the presiding officer, Speaker Pro Tem Bryan Pratt, R-Blue Springs. He said the “ayes” won even though the “nays” were clearly louder.
Another vote is needed to send the budget bills (HBs 21 and 22) to the Senate. They earmark more than $400 million in stimulus money known as budget stabilization funds for various projects around the state.
Republican leaders, including Lt. Gov. Peter Kinder and House Speaker Ron Richard, R-Joplin, have pushed for the Metro funding.
Storch said thousands of people can’t get to work since bus routes were slashed. She also decried cuts in transportation services for the disabled.
Storch portrayed the one-time money as stopgap funding until Metro can persuade area voters to raise taxes for the system.
Also included in the House spending plan is $31.1 million for a new cancer center in Columbia. The House revived that project without debate. Republicans had deleted it on Monday to retaliate for a Democratic walkout in a dispute over House rules.
What an outrage. A blank check for $12 million, after the voters of the county said no. What makes Storch think that we’ll say yes next time?
And as far as the amendment passing on a voice vote … why didn’t somebody call for a roll call? I thought rules allowed that.
Outrage, really? Perhaps the economic consequences report done by SLUH is weighing heavily. Perhaps the government is making a valus decision on the costs of unemployment insurance and the impact on various businesses and critical facilities in the states largest metropolitan area. Perhaps this is the beginning of a realization on the part of the state that succesful metropolitan areas have three streams of tax revenue, federal, local and state.
I also doubt that this will amount to a blank check for anyone. This money will likely have state and federal reportng requirements. Given the scrutiny applied to Metro there will likely be a more detailed review than on many other projects.
Rep. Storch and others who are in touch with all of their constituents took the road less travelled. I say, well done, and about time.
I do agree with the statement regarding the roll call vote. Everyone should know how their representative voted on every issue.
This is a total embarassment for the St. Louis County. Twice in the last two years St. Louis County voters have voted AGAINST any additional funding for Metrolink due to the horrendous management of the taxpayer monies that Metro has already been given…yet the Republican Legislature knows better than the voters and they give city Democrat Rachel Storch $12 million of our taxpayer monies so the few people who ride Metrolink can continue to do so…Metrolink is a broken system and to keep pouring money into after the voters have said no is insane. I have voted for my last Republican in the state legislature…if Republicans are going to act like Democrats, then we should just work for and elect Democrats.
Gentlemen of Metro public transportation,
Please consider reviewing your policy of sending behemoths carrying few or no passengers especially to the outer reaches of our county. They burn much fuel and cost much to maintain and their initial cost, I could guess!
Puerto Rico uses a system of “publico” (public cars and vans) that make PROFITS, are quick and come right off the assembly-line; thus are cheap to purchase! Save the behemoths for the city routes that require 60 plus seats.