S.20.3-9: Improved Public Transit Act (Law'd)

[tmthforu94]

Improved Public Transit Act

Section 1. Title
i. The title of this act shall be the Improved Public Transit Act
ii. The purpose of this legislation is to strengthen our public railways and incentivize Southerners to walk and bike

Section 2.
i. The Southern Government will allocate an additional amount of $2 billion to repair sidewalks, roadways, and railways. Funding shall be appropriated from regional reserves.
ii. The entities responsible for carrying out infrastructure improvements under this act are subject to targets and performance measures reflecting state transportation goals and objectives. Performance measures shall also include conditions of bicycle and pedestrian facilities, accessibility and safety for pedestrians, bicyclists, and transit users on the state highway system.

Sponsor: Spark498

Minimum 48 hours for debate. The sponsor is invited to testify.

[tmthforu94]

So essentially this would put more focus towards private businesses to repair roads, as opposed to the Department of Transportation?

I do support this idea in general - we should look to numeralize the budget for this. It is something that is badly needed; while our regional unemployment numbers are looking OK, it is also a good way to provide a boost in jobs for those still looking for work.

[tmthforu94]

If we made an investment in infrastructure projects, what do delegates think would be a good number?

[tmthforu94]

In agreement with what Thumb said.

If we made an investment in infrastructure projects, what do delegates think would be a good number?

[tmthforu94]

24 hours for objections to Spark's amendment.

[tmthforu94]

Sparks amendment has been adopted. Is there another amendment to provide further increase?

[tmthforu94]

Offering amendment increasing funding to $2 billion. Thumb is right - this was something that was pushed when I was last Governor, though what my measure did was primarily restore cuts to funding that the previous administration had made. I think it is appropriate that we go a step further here.

Improved Public Transit Act

Section 1. Title
i. The title of this act shall be the Improved Public Transit Act
ii. The purpose of this legislation is to strengthen our public railways and incentivize Southerners to walk and bike

Section 2.
i. The government of the South shall offer contracts to private entities such as non-profit organizations for infrastructure improvements. The Southern Government will allocate an additional amount of $1 million billion to repair sidewalks, roadways, and railways. Funding shall be appropriated from regional reserves.
ii. The contractors are subject to targets and performance measures reflecting state transportation goals and objectives. Performance measures shall also include conditions of bicycle and pedestrian facilities, accessibility and safety for pedestrians, bicyclists, and transit users on the state highway system.

24 hours for objections.

[tmthforu94]

Well shoot, I made a mistake in my last amendment. While I said I was proposing $2 billion, I forgot to change the "1" to a "2" in the text. Offering this:

Improved Public Transit Act

Section 1. Title
i. The title of this act shall be the Improved Public Transit Act
ii. The purpose of this legislation is to strengthen our public railways and incentivize Southerners to walk and bike

Section 2.
i. The government of the South shall offer contracts to private entities such as non-profit organizations for infrastructure improvements. The Southern Government will allocate an additional amount of $21 billion to repair sidewalks, roadways, and railways. Funding shall be appropriated from regional reserves.
ii. The contractors are subject to targets and performance measures reflecting state transportation goals and objectives. Performance measures shall also include conditions of bicycle and pedestrian facilities, accessibility and safety for pedestrians, bicyclists, and transit users on the state highway system.

24 hours for objections.

[tmthforu94]

Amendment is adopted, debate resumes.

[tmthforu94]

24 hours for objections to the amendment.

[tmthforu94]

Thumb's amendment has been adopted. Debate resumes.

[tmthforu94]

Motion is recognized, 24 hours for an objection.

[tmthforu94]

Seeing no objections, we will proceed to a final vote. Please vote AYE, NAY or ABSTAIN.


Aye

[tmthforu94]

This has enough votes to pass, delegates have 24 hours to change their votes.

[tmthforu94]

With 4 AYES and 1 NAY, the bill has passed and will be sent to the Governor.