Dear Neighbor,

 

On February 18th, Governor Rauner proposed massive cuts to many areas of the state budget. One hidden nugget that will have an adverse effect on residents in the 12th District are cuts to important public transportation services, which would affect CTA, Metra, PACE and Paratransit riders.

 

Many of you have already reached out to my office voicing your concerns about these proposed cuts. Making it easy and affordable to get to work is crucial toward nursing Illinois' economy back to health.

 

Currently, the governor's FY 2016 budget proposes cutting 10% of state funds that go to the Regional Transportation Association, which provides funding to public transit programs. This could mean $105 million in cuts to the CTA and $20 million in cuts from Metra.

 

Transportation cuts may lead to higher ridership fees, longer wait times for trains and buses and reduced funding for technological innovation. If you rely on public transportation to get to work you will feel the effects of these cuts.

 

Public transportation should be a low-cost, accessible part of city life. Many aspects of the governor's budget are devastating to our state's most needy families. Please contact Governor Rauner's office to voice your concerns.

 

Many of you wrote in to share your thoughts about the Governor's draconian cuts to transportation and we are committed to keeping you informed as the budget process moves forward. Tell the governor he should be investing more in transit, not cutting it.

 

On another note, in an effort to encourage the use of public transportation and save taxpayers and employers money, I filed HB 1383, the Transportation Benefits Program Act, which would require all employers with 20 or more employees to offer at least one pre-tax transportation benefit to their employees. This bill would allow employees to exclude their commuting cost from taxable wages or choose a program under which they receive a public transit pass to cover transportation costs.

 

This legislation would make getting to work a little more affordable.

 

Warmest Regards,

 

 

 

Sara Feigenholtz

State Representative

12th District

 

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