From: "Friends of Transit NEWS" To: "Friends of Transit NEWS" Subject: Lawmakers' skepticism jeopardizes light rail Date: Tuesday, January 29, 2002 11:29 PM In case you missed this article that ran in the Arizona Republic last week, we wanted to make it available to you. You will note in the article that the Greater Phoenix Region is trying to recieve our fair share of monies from the federal government in order to build the voter-approved light rail system. The amount of money that is needed from the federal government is a very significant component necessary to this segment of the light rail system. A number of you have asked how to contact our congressional delegation. You will find that information on our website at www.friendsoftransit.org. As always, feel free to share with us any copies of correspondence if you like. Lawmakers' skepticism jeopardizes light rail By Elvia Díaz The Arizona Republic Jan. 24, 2002 12:00:00 Tepid support among the Valley's congressional delegation could jeopardize the planned $1 billion light rail system, the most ambitious attempt yet to lure commuters to leave their cars behind. Phoenix, Mesa and Tempe are preparing to ask Uncle Sam to foot half the cost of the electric train system. The cities need a promise from the federal government by 2003, when construction of the initial 20.3-mile line is expected to begin. Without federal dollars, the project will have to be scaled back considerably or not built at all. It's up to the congressional delegation to push the issue in Washington. "We need champions," Tempe Mayor Neil Giuliano said. "Their support can't be lukewarm." Among the Valley's key congressional leaders, only Rep. Ed Pastor is actively behind light rail. Project supporters say overtures to Reps. J.D. Hayworth and John Shadegg have not generated much enthusiasm. Rep. Jeff Flake and Sen. Jon Kyl are opposed to light rail in general. Sen. John McCain's position is unclear. Even though he sits on the Transportation Appropriations subcommittee, nobody expects Pastor to deliver $500 million-plus for the Valley. "He can't do it by himself," Phoenix Mayor Skip Rimsza said. Pastor, the lone Democrat among the Valley's delegation, declined to discuss the issue with The Republic. Flake is blunt about his position: "I always felt that light rail is nothing more than a little trolley. It doesn't do a lot to relieve congestion or pollution. "I'm not going out of my way to torpedo the Valley's efforts. But it's going to be very difficult to get that kind of money." Similarly, Kyl said he won't lobby against funding and will protect any money recommended by the Federal Transit Administration for the project. "The concern now is whether they will get enough (money) and soon enough," Kyl said. Shadegg dubs light rail planners' characterization of his support unfair. He points out that he called key congressional leaders to push for transit funding for fiscal 2002. "I have done my share and will continue to do so," he said. "We will continue to improve our performance to get transit money back to Arizona." For fiscal 2002, the Valley's light rail asked for $54 million for the final design. It got $10 million. Comparatively, cities that already have a commitment from the federal government got a chunk of money this fiscal year to build or expand light rail. Denver secured $55 million; Chicago, $55 million; Dallas, $70 million; and San Diego, $60 million. The Federal Transit Administration has granted the project a "recommended" rating, allowing backers to seek half the construction costs from the federal government. Still, getting the money is anything but certain. The Valley must secure a commitment from the federal government and then compete for the money every fiscal year until the project is complete. "It would be difficult for any light rail project to go far without the firm support from their congressional delegation," said Amy Coggin of the American Public Transportation Association, a public transit trade group in Washington, D.C. "It's a very competitive process." Hayworth pledged to help the Valley but also cautioned it won't be easy. "We're in the middle of a war effort, and spending priorities may change," Hayworth said. "I will do what I can to help out regardless of the misgivings I may have about public transit." Phoenix officials, meanwhile, are planning an aggressive lobbying effort. Rimsza met with McCain on Wednesday, and light rail was on the agenda. Rimsza hopes to work light rail into the conversation again today when he meets at the White House with other mayors and President Bush. The city also has invited Valley congressmen to Salt Lake City during February's Winter Olympics to showcase that city's light rail. And transit commissioners are handing out prepared letters for residents to mail to their congressmen asking for support. "I have been very disappointed with our congressional delegation," Phoenix Councilwoman Peggy Bilsten said. "We will need to educate them and make sure they have the facts about light rail." Rallying legislators behind light rail isn't the only obstacle. Phoenix, Mesa and Tempe will jointly seek federal dollars at a time when debate is building over reauthorization of the Transportation Equity Act for the 21st Century, or TEA-21. Rimsza and other officials worry that Congress might not fully fund the program after it expires in fiscal 2003 because of the slumping economy and the war on terrorism. "We will be making the argument that this is a great time to invest in urban transit systems," said Rimsza, who joined the U.S. Conference of Mayors for the first time this year to help push the federal government to reauthorize TEA-21 funding. Membership in the organization is costing city taxpayers nearly $30,000. Signed in 1998, TEA-21 authorized billions of dollars during a six-year period for mass transit, highways and other transportation projects. A substantial drop in TEA-21 money means the competition among cities for that pot of money will be even greater and thus the need for a strong push at Capitol Hill. "We have the best chance of getting the money if there is a united congressional delegation," said Diane Scherer, head of Phoenix Citizens Transit Commission. At best, the Valley light rail system would have to be scaled back without federal dollars. Already, light rail planners are struggling to bring the cost down closer to the $43 million a mile price tag they initially projected. They have recommended fewer stops and shading only half of each of the stops. Phoenix and Tempe plan to pay for their portion of light rail with money raised from sales tax hikes. Mesa, meanwhile, anticipates paying out of its general fund. "Of course we're very apprehensive and a bit anxious to get more federal dollars," said Wulf Grote, light rail project director. "We would have to take a very hard look at the project to identify amenities we could cut."