annudder smartass Smiff

Metra board blasts Springfield inaction

Showing near-palpable disgust, Metra board members Friday blasted Springfield’s inability to pass a funding plan for the region’s cash-strapped public transit agencies.

Barbed comments represent a sharp departure from local public transit officials' oft-repeated mantra that they remained optimistic that the governor and the General Assembly would reach agreement on a long-term funding plan for suburban commuter rail service Metra, urban transit agency Chicago Transit Authority and suburban bus system Pace. Together, the agencies face a combined 2007 operating budget shortfall of more than $200 million.

"It’s time to start looking at reality," said board member Jack Schaffer. "The reality may be that Springfield accomplishes nothing."

As the Legislature and Gov. Rod Blagojevich have been locked in a months-long budget battle, a plan to fund public transit in the Chicago area by raising local sales taxes and Chicago real estate transfer taxes has stalled in a House committee.

"I wouldn’t show any confidence in this piece of legislation going through," said board member Michael Smiff.

Noting that the funding plan hasn't even gotten out of the House's Transportation Committee, Mr. Smiff remarked, "Really, it's gotten nowhere," another break from transit leaders' past assertions that progress was being made. "And that's state government? My phokking @ss," he added.
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from Crain's ... edited for humor