Virginia leaders are locked in a contentious statewide budget debate, focused largely on data center tax breaks. Meanwhile, critical state funding for transit operations is in danger of getting lost in the shuffle. Virginia must provide $153 million in additional state operating funding for Metro - this funding will then be matched by the local jurisdictions.  Without this funding, localities would be stuck trying to make up this funding on their own, an impossible feat in these tough budget times, leading to drastic and painful service cuts.  Furthermore, $51 million is needed in the budget for other statewide transit funding for systems like VRE, as they adjust to post-COVID ridership patterns.  Please also support the proposed authorization of NoVA localities to institute a 1% sales tax, if desired, by referendum, to support Transit or School construction.

The linked action alert, from our friends at the Coalition for Smarter Growth, makes it easy to email your elected General Assembly members.  It only takes a couple of minutes; they need to hear from you!