WASHINGTON — Calling for “swift action,” regional leaders embraced a dedicated funding plan for Metro that would funnel $500 million into the rail system each year for repairs and maintenance.
A resolution, passed Wednesday by the Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments Board of Directors, urges D.C., Maryland, Virginia and the federal government to each chip in $125 million annually.
Metro faces more than $15 billion in funding needs over the next decade, according to Metro General Manager Paul Wiedefeld.
“We believe that our recommendations, in addition to the other Metro proposals that have been advanced this year, have helped forge consensus around Metro’s critical capital needs,” said board member Sharon Bulova, who also chairs the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors.
COG’s board, comprised of dozens of elected officials from across the area, said the plan should be implemented no later than July of 2019.
The resolution is being sent to executive leaders and lawmakers representing all four groups, including the region’s Congressional delegation.
“From validating Metro’s capital needs to making a strong case that the federal government should provide new funding at a level commensurate with increased state and local funding, there is a lot that all of us have come to agree on,” said COG Vice Chairman and Prince George’s County Council Member Derrick Davis.
Although the board approved the resolution, D.C. leaders on the panel were not in favor of it.
City officials, such as D.C. Councilmember Jack Evans, have said a regional sales tax would be a better way to come up with dedicated funding.
“The only way to address the issues concerning Metro is to create new money, and that’s what a sales tax would do,” said Evans, who also chairs the Metro Board.
Evans introduced a bill in November that would increase the District’s sales tax by 0.75 percent, but it would not take effect until Maryland and Virginia passed the same legislation.
