Next week, the Senate is expected to consider S. 2520, the Transportation, Housing and Urban Development, and Related Agencies (THUD) Appropriations Act, 2020, as part of a “minibus” of several appropriations bills. The bill provides a total of $12.96 billion for public transportation, a reduction of $457 million from Fiscal Year (FY) 2019 enacted levels. Although the bill increases total funding for Buses and Bus Facilities, it reduces:

  • Capital Investment Grants (CIG) by $575 million; and
  • State of Good Repair grants by $178 million.

In addition, the Senate THUD bill does not include a provision to block the Rostenkowski Test to prevent an impending $1.2 billion cut to public transit formula funds in FY 2020. This 12 percent across-the-board cut will impact every public transit system across the country if triggered. A temporary provision blocking the Rostenkowski Test through November 21 is included in the Continuing Appropriations Act, 2020 (P.L. 116-59, Division A). To view an APTA funding table, please click here.

CALL TO ACTION

We strongly encourage you to contact your Senators and urge them to fight for increased funding for public transportation as the Senate considers the THUD Appropriations bill. In addition, please urge your Senators to block the Rostenkowski Test and prevent a 12 percent cut to all public transit agencies.

For a sample script for your call, please click here.

To contact your Senators, please call 202.224.3121 or click here.