KCRag Forum

Congresswoman Bush Introduces Legislation to Fund Gold Standard Bus and Light Rail Projects

DaveKCMO wrote: ↑Thu Dec 22, 2022 9:38 pm I don't think they have any local funding lined up?

normalthings wrote: ↑Thu Dec 22, 2022 9:43 pm

DaveKCMO wrote: ↑Thu Dec 22, 2022 9:38 pm I don't think they have any local funding lined up?

STL has local funding for a LRT line approved for sone years now but hasn’t been able to qualify for federal. If they can get a grant they can build.

DaveKCMO wrote: ↑Thu Dec 22, 2022 10:14 pm

normalthings wrote: ↑Thu Dec 22, 2022 9:43 pm

DaveKCMO wrote: ↑Thu Dec 22, 2022 9:38 pm I don't think they have any local funding lined up?

STL has local funding for a LRT line approved for sone years now but hasn’t been able to qualify for federal. If they can get a grant they can build.

Reference? They spent a LOT on the cross-county extension, which didn't get any federal funding.

Local Funding - Economic Development Sales Tax
Approved by St. Louis voters in April 2017, the Proposition 1A - Economic Development Sales Tax generates a 0.5 percent sales tax to fund economic development projects. The proceeds of the half cent Economic Development Sales Tax are intended for the uses outlined in Table 2-1. Proposed expenditures are presented to the Economic Development Board each year and then approved by the Board of Aldermen. The “Transit” category is committed to the Northside-Southside Project, as indicated in the ballot language: “Shall the City of St. Louis impose a sales tax at a rate of one half of one percent for economic development purposes including (1) North/South Metrolink...”1

Table 2-1: Economic Development Sales Tax Breakdown
Category: North/South Metrolink
Percentage of Proceeds: 60%
Projected FY 2018 Allocation: $12,153,207

Since that vote, about $41 million has been collected at the end of fiscal 2021, according to city Budget Director Paul Payne. He said there’s “little to no expenditures” from that fund.

“In the fiscal year 2022 budget, $1 million was allocated for a potential update to the transit study but otherwise no other expenditures budgeted,” Payne said. “Projected balance for the end of the current fiscal could top $51 million.”

normalthings wrote: ↑Fri Dec 23, 2022 12:10 am

DaveKCMO wrote: ↑Thu Dec 22, 2022 10:14 pm

normalthings wrote: ↑Thu Dec 22, 2022 9:43 pm

STL has local funding for a LRT line approved for sone years now but hasn’t been able to qualify for federal. If they can get a grant they can build.

Reference? They spent a LOT on the cross-county extension, which didn't get any federal funding.

There have been a few taxes that went into effect post-Blue Line meant to support increased service and expansion. Mayor + County have also voiced support for using NFL settlement funds on LRT (NFL settlement is~$550million post lawyer fees).


2010 saw a 0.5% county and 0.25% city sales tax increase. The most recent was a 2017 vote:

Local Funding - Economic Development Sales Tax
Approved by St. Louis voters in April 2017, the Proposition 1A - Economic Development Sales Tax generates a 0.5 percent sales tax to fund economic development projects. The proceeds of the half cent Economic Development Sales Tax are intended for the uses outlined in Table 2-1. Proposed expenditures are presented to the Economic Development Board each year and then approved by the Board of Aldermen. The “Transit” category is committed to the Northside-Southside Project, as indicated in the ballot language: “Shall the City of St. Louis impose a sales tax at a rate of one half of one percent for economic development purposes including (1) North/South Metrolink...”1

Table 2-1: Economic Development Sales Tax Breakdown
Category: North/South Metrolink
Percentage of Proceeds: 60%
Projected FY 2018 Allocation: $12,153,207

https://www.ewgateway.org/library-post/ ... tudy-2018/


They have been collecting the tax for a few years now so they are also building up a project fund as they wait for a grant to roll around.

Since that vote, about $41 million has been collected at the end of fiscal 2021, according to city Budget Director Paul Payne. He said there’s “little to no expenditures” from that fund.

“In the fiscal year 2022 budget, $1 million was allocated for a potential update to the transit study but otherwise no other expenditures budgeted,” Payne said. “Projected balance for the end of the current fiscal could top $51 million.”

https://news.stlpublicradio.org/governm ... -expansion

https://nextstl.com/2016/06/official-st ... extension/