Historic Vote Paves the Way for Next Round of Key Road and Transit Projects
SMTA’s Top-Priority Bill – HB1515 Passes Senate – Heads to Governor O’Malley for Signature: Today the Maryland State Senate voted 27 – 20 to approve $4.4 billion in new transportation funding, adding roughly $800 million a year to the state’s severely depleted Transportation Trust Fund when fully implemented. The State Department of Transportation has provided this summary of the bill.
What this means:
- 57,000 new jobs for Maryland in construction and related industries
- State funding for major new transit projects like the Purple Line and Corridor Cities Transitway will now be available, so these projects can move to construction within the next few years
- Dozens of planned road, bridge and intersection improvements – none of which would be possible without this legislation – can now move to construction in the near term (Watkins Mill interchange, Georgia Avenue & Randolph Rd, Brookeville bypass, completing Mid-County Highway, several corridor improvement projects in Prince George’s County, and much more)
This is a MAJOR VICTORY for everyone who is sick of traffic and a major boost for our economy — which is why this legislation enjoyed such strong support from leading business groups and transportation advocates in the State.
“Lock Box” Provision to Protect the Transportation Trust Fund SB829 Passes in State Senate — Moves on to House of Delegates for Final Approval
SMTA’s other top-priority bill for this session won final passage in the Senate in a 45 – 2 vote. Senate Bill 829 would call for a constitutional amendment to require a 3/5 vote by both Houses of the Maryland General Assembly in order to divert any future funding from the Transportation Trust Fund (TTF) to other uses — a repeated problem in Maryland. The constitutional amendment must be approved by voters before it goes into effect but enjoys overwhelming public support. It would help restore the “Trust” in our Transportation Trust Fund and boost support for the new funding plan.
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