Illinois lawmakers 'concerned' about GOP transportation bill

(MCT) — Fearing the loss of long-term funding for Chicago-area bus and train projects, Illinois congressmen on Tuesday said funding cuts in a major transportation bill being debated in Washington would hurt mass transit programs in Chicago.

Rep. Robert Dold, R-Kenilworth, said he and others want to make sure that mass transit funding, tax incentives for riders of public transportation and money for long-range large projects are restored to the transportation bill.

"There's some positives associated with this bill," Dold said, referring to the five-year federal transportation package being pushed by House Republicans, which jeopardizes up to $450 million a year for local projects. "But there were are some shortcomings. We wanted to come together to find some solutions."

Joining Dold were congressional colleagues Judy Biggert, R-Hinsdale, and Dan Lipinski, D-Western Springs. Leaders from Metra, CTA, Pace and the Regional Transportation Authority also attended the news conference to discuss problems with the bill.

The bill has sparked a partisan clash in Washington because it would curtail the use of motor fuel tax money for mass transit. That revenue instead would be used entirely for roads and bridges. Mass transit would be funded for five years by a one-time appropriation of $40 billion.

Many Democratic members of Congress oppose tossing out the current funding agreement, which has been in place for 30 years. Republicans, who control the House, are pushing for a new plan they say is more fiscally responsible and streamlines the process of obtaining funding.

The House was expected to vote on the transportation bill but delayed action after a group of lawmakers began pressuring them to make changes. The proposed bill would change the way agencies such as CTA, Metra and Pace get money to buy new buses, rebuild tracks and maintain equipment.

The legislation would cut funding for Amtrak by $308 million over two years, officials have said.

Shortly after Dold hosted the news conference at the Dirksen Federal Building, Sen. Dick Durbin, a Democrat, talked to reporters at Union Station, where he said House Republicans should go back to the drawing board rather than support a partisan bill that has little chance of being passed.