HomeMy WebLinkAboutRES 02-306 RESOLUTION NO. 02-306
WHEREAS, the City of Beaumont, Texas recognizes that Beaumont Municipal
Transit utilizes Federal Transit Administration and Texas Department of Transportation
Section 5307 funds to provide transit services to the citizens of Beaumont; and,
WHEREAS, rural and small urban public transportation serves local communities
across the State, providing a needed service to thousands of persons who otherwise would
not be able to access medical and educational services, employment, and other vital
services; and,
WHEREAS, the level of service needed in rural and small city Texas continues to
be inadequate for the needs of local communities, and new publictransit systems continue
to begin service that will benefit the entire State in the movement of people; and,
WHEREAS, individual small city transit systems suffered reductions in services as
a consequence of recent state funding; and,
WHEREAS, rural areas are in need of an increased level of and access to public
transit services in every region of the State, and the State is in the best position to address
and solve the regional and statewide financial needs of public transit as it does so for
highways; and,
WHEREAS, public transit requires stability and predictability in the flow of funds to
efficiently and effectively operate their multiple modes of transportation; and,
WHEREAS, the current appropriations proposals pending before the Texas
Legislature include an appropriations reduction of 25 percent in rural and small cities transit
funding; and,
WHEREAS, an increase for the 2004-05 State fiscal years is needed to continue
the progress thus far achieved.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE
CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF BEAUMONT:
THAT the 78' Regular session of the Texas Legislature eliminate from consideration any
pending reduction of public transit funding; and,
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that a funding increase be appropriated by the Texas
Legislature for small city and rural public transportation at a level of $95 million for the
coming State biennium with the knowledge that such funding level would still total one-half
of that actually needed; and,
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the State undertake by means of interim Legislative
Study a permanent financial resolution for public transportation that will provide long-term
stability and predictability with an adequate and growing funding base for the future; and,
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that a certified copy of this resolution be forwarded to His
Excellency the Governor of Texas, Rick Perry; Speaker of the Texas House of
Representatives, The Honorable James "Pete" Laney; and the Lieutenant Governor of
Texas, the Honorable Bill Ratliff.
PASSED BY THE CITY COUNCIL of the City of Beaumont this the 31st day of
December, 2002.
- May Evelyn M. Lord -