Report: MARTA May Get Stimulus Money
A committee of the Atlanta Regional Commission recommended today that the Commission send $25 million in American Recovery and Reinvestment (ARRA) money, currently earmarked for long-term transit projects in Atlanta, to MARTA to help the Authority make up a $24 million gap in its operating budget, according to a report in the Atlanta Journal-Constitution.
The Georgia General Assembly this year failed to pass SB 120, legislation that would have lifted state-imposed restrictions and let MARTA access $65 million in capital reserves to make up for the operating budget gap.
If MARTA receives the $25 million, it may be able to continue operating normally without making drastic cuts, such as ceasing operations system-wide for one day a week.
But the AJC report notes that the money will only help MARTA make up for the shortfall in the fiscal year 2010, which begins in July. MARTA has already projected larger, future shortfalls.
The Atlanta Regional Commission board must vote on the committee’s recommendation in a few weeks, the AJC reported.
State and local lawmakers, along with several activist groups, held a press conference Wednesday urging Gov. Sonny Perdue to call a special session of the Assembly in order to properly address transportation issues before MARTA is forced to make serious cuts.