Rep. Calvert Leads Effort Urging Obama Administration to Release California Transit Funds
Today, Congressman Ken Calvert (CA-42), along with ten of his California delegation colleagues, sent a letter to U.S. Labor Secretary Thomas Perez urging him to release federal transit funding that the Department of Labor (DOL) continues to deny to California mass transit agencies.
"It's long past time for the Obama administration to stop playing political games and ensure our transit agencies receive promised funding," said Rep. Calvert. "If Secretary Perez does not act soon, transit riders throughout California will feel the impact of reduced service and the continued deterioration of transit vehicles. I simply don't know how anyone can think it is right to penalize California transit riders, employees and taxpayers because the state enacted common sense pension reforms."
"Riverside County is expanding public transit options, both rail and bus, with strong federal support," said Riverside County Transportation Commission Chairman Daryl Busch, Mayor of the City of Perris. "It is deeply troubling that at this pivotal time the federal government is holding back the basic funds we rely on every day. I thank Congressman Calvert for standing up for public transit and our residents who depend on it."
"I applaud Congressman Calvert's efforts to ensure that Riverside County residents have uninterrupted access to the transit they depend on to get them to school, work and the doctor," said Riverside Transit Agency Chairman of the Board Andrew Kotyuk. "I am confident that the many seniors, veterans and disabled residents who rely on RTA appreciate the Congressman advancing the conversation on this issue in Washington D.C."
U.S. Department of Transportation grant funding for mass transit agencies requires the certification of the Secretary of Labor under rules established by the 1964 Urban Mass Transportation Act. Following the passage of pension reform laws in California, which were supported by the state legislature and Governor Jerry Brown, Secretary Perez has refused to certify federal grant funds for all California transit agencies. Last December, the U.S. Eastern District Court ruled against the DOL and called their failure to certify and release the transit funds as "arbitrary" and "capricious." The DOL has appealed that ruling.
The following members signed the letter to Secretary Perez:
Col. Paul Cook (CA-8)
Rep. Sam Farr (CA-20)
Rep. Duncan Hunter (CA-50)
Rep. Steve Knight (CA-25)
Rep. Doug LaMalfa (CA-1)
Rep. Tom McClintock (CA-4)
Rep. Devin Nunes (CA-22)
Rep. Dana Rohrabacher (CA-48)
Rep. Ed Royce (CA-39)
Rep. Mimi Walters (CA-45)
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