New transit bill focuses on accountability, efficiency
Here's a note for Tattler readers from our friends at the Campaign for Better Transit:
Greetings from the Campaign for Better Transit, www.bettertransit.com, a citywide coalition of transit riders, community organizations, environmentalists and social justice advocates, working to build a public transportation system that meets the transit needs of all the people of Chicago.
We write to inform you and your readers of recently introduced transit legislation that would redefine the relationship among transit agencies, the public, and lawmakers. House Bill 4663 would ensure that:
1) transit money is spent according to clear and fair priorities, 2) transit agencies have an incentive to correct financial and/or operational errors, 3) Illinois moves steadily toward improving transit, and 4) transit agencies are run more efficiently. CTA riders would benefit greatly from the bill’s passage.
To read more about HB4663, please visit the home page of the bill’s chief sponsor, Rep. Larry McKeon (D-Chicago) here. Aid efforts to turn the bill into law and register support with Rep. Julie Hamos (D-Evanston), Chairwoman of the House Mass Transit Committee: Julie@juliehamos.org or any member of the committee: committee members.
Please visit our webpage and discussion board—read our reports and join the transit discussion! www.bettertransit.com
McKeon's statement is a month old press release, and is typical of what legislators give the media at the beginning of the session to try to prove that they are doing something. Also, the timing was to capitalize on the CITGO controversy, which has died down. You can bet that some sort of political fix will be proposed at the 11th hour as part of the budget, and, unless Mike Madigan signs on, this will not be part of it. (There was even a report that Lisa couldn't get her stepdaddy to allow one of her bills onto the floor.)
Posted by: jackonthebus | February 23, 2006 at 08:50 AM
Transparency and accountability for transit agencies' use of tax payer dollars? Sounds like a good idea to me.
Posted by: tommy | February 23, 2006 at 02:52 PM
I was referring to the extraneous matters, such as the CITGO reference and:Requiring CTA and all other transit agencies to submit an Annual Service Plan for increasing and enhancing transit service to low-income communities. Should transit be enhanced where there is a need or demand, or just for the poor?
I was also commenting on how things are actually done in the Illinois General Assembly.
Nothing wrong with transparency and accountability, but audits of all of the transit agencies have already been ordered by the Legislature.
Posted by: jackonthebus | February 24, 2006 at 01:17 PM