Maryland’s future competitive advantage depends on creating a seamless, interconnected network of fast, safe and accessible rail transit service. Rapid transit is the key to economic and jobs growth and to ensuring equity in the State’s mobility strategy. Making transit the state’s top transportation priority will put Marylanders to work, strengthen the economy, and protect our environment.

Our highest priority for the 2024 General Assembly was the budget. We opposed proposed cuts in transit service and put forward the following three principles to guide the transportation budget:

• Full funding of MTA and WMATA transit operations, with no cuts in service.
• Full funding of promised rail transit expansions: Speedy completion of NEPA studies for the Red Line and Southern Maryland Rapid Transit and funding of the MDOT-CSX agreement for mid-day MARC service on the Brunswick Line.
• Any cuts in transportation spending should be confined to highway expansion projects. They are a waste of money because they don't relieve congestion and are bad for the environment.

The legislature made a solid first step toward these goals by enacting $250 million per year in new transportation revenues as part of the budget. We especially thank Delegate Marc Korman, chair of the Environment and Transportation Committee, for his leadership in tackling the transportation funding issue.

We also supported the following bills before the General Assembly:

Maryland Metro Funding Act of 2024 (HB0198/SB0126): The DC-area Metro system faces an operating funding shortfall due to the end of federal Covid aid. The shortfall occurs, in part, because Metro helped Maryland out when federal Covid aid arrived by asking for less money than in previous years. Adding funding - even to restore the funding to pre-Covid levels - requires a change in the state law capping the operating fund increases to Metro. Enacted.

Transportation Funding Act of 2024: This bill would increase revenue for transportation infrastructure by charging low fees on transportation network company (Uber/Lyft) trips and certain home deliveries. These fees were included in the budget package.

Better Bus Service Act (HB0107): This bill would allow MTA, WMATA, and local governments statewide to use cameras to fine car owners and operators of rental cars for obstructing bus lanes. Enacted.