RTA in for another rough funding ride

If you think the Regional Transportation Authority finally landed on firm financial ground with the state's mass transit bailout earlier this year, think again.

And thank Gov. Rod Blagojevich.

In a move toward balancing the state budget, the governor cut $37 million from the RTA. A portion of this money had previously been earmarked to partially reimburse RTA service agencies for the reduced-fare rides program for seniors, students and people with disabilities.

Complicating this situation is that seniors can now ride for free, again thanks to the governor. He forced the free rides on state lawmakers as a condition for his acceptance of that mass transit bailout plan. The legislature took the sucker punch in agreeing to this proviso.

The governor never offered any thoughts on how to pay for the fare-free trips, which by some estimates could cost up to $20 million

And now, with the $37 million budget trim, he's left the RTA boards - Metra, CTA and Pace - wondering how they're even going to fund the traditional reduced-fare program.

Another sucker punch.

The transit agencies do have new revenue from an increase in sales taxes authorized by the bailout. Still, an unanticipated $37 million budget hole will be hard to fill.

This funding dilemma is just another consequence of a budget crisis showdown between the governor and the legislature that might get worked out with more maturity in mediation.

Not that the legislature is doing much to move the state forward toward financial stability, and approving programs that need funding. Such as a capital plan to provide funds to make needed bridge and road improvements and school construction.

Last week, state lawmakers did wisely reject using gambling revenue, a tenuous source of funding, as the primary means of paying for a capital plan.

But they offered no alternative. As we have noted before in this space, there are other ways to pay for those projects in critical need of attention. Fashion a package of budget cuts along with some increases in vehicle and other fees. Those who use the roads should help pay for repairs to those roads.

State lawmakers did, however, leave Springfield last Thursday with more money in their pockets. They, along with the governor and other top state officials, got a 3.8 percent pay hike. It's based on cost of living - certainly not on merit.

"We deserve a pay raise?" asked an angry House Republican Leader Tom Cross of Oswego. "Come on."

Cross said he would likely give money from his pay hike to charity.

It might not be a bad idea for other lawmakers to do the same. The money would be put to good use. It's not now.