The transit agency has warned that a pair of bills filed in the state legislature could lead to revenue cuts of between 25 and 45%.
DALLAS — As two bills filed in the Texas legislature threaten to lead to cuts of up to about 30% of Dallas Area Rapid Transit (DART) services, officials in Dallas and Rowlett have passed resolutions supporting fully funding DART.
The proposed state laws would allow DART member cities to reduce the amount of sales tax revenue they allocate to DART.
DART says the bills could lead to revenue cuts of between 25 and 45%. Supporters, though, argue that the legislation is needed to address funding issues.
First, Rowlett passed a resolution Tuesday that supports fully funding DART and rescinding a previous resolution that supported reducing the city’s sales tax contributions to DART.
Their resolution states that the City Council “expresses its strong support for the full funding of the Dallas Area Rapid Transit (DART) system and urges local, regional, and state governments to prioritize continued investment in public transit, particularly DART, to ensure its long-term viability and success,” a press release from Rowlett officials reads.
On Wednesday, the Dallas City Council’s seven-member transportation and infrastructure committee unanimously approved a resolution supporting “the full funding of the Dallas Area Rapid Transit (DART) system at the current one percent sales tax level” and calling on “local, regional and state governments to prioritize sustained investment in the public transit system to ensure its long-term viability and success.”
The DART service area includes 13 member cities: Addison, Carrollton, Cockrell Hill, Dallas, Farmers Branch, Garland, Glenn Heights, Highland Park, Irving, Plano, Richardson, Rowlett, and University Park.
Some of those member cities, including Plano, Highland Park, Irving, Carrollton and Farmers Branch last year officially said they wanted to reduce their sales tax allocations to DART. One of the bills in the state legislature was filed by Rep. Matt Shaheen, R-Plano.
