Gov. Wes Moore’s austere cuts to the Maryland Transit Administration make up a shortsighted approach to balancing the state budget (“Planned cuts, construction pause to address Maryland’s $3.3B transportation shortfall spark concerns,” Dec. 3). In a city where nearly half of residents lack access to a car (including myself), slashing transit is a uniquely targeted way to turn the screws on working-class Marylanders.
Transit is an important way to reduce traffic congestion (estimated to cost our state $5.8 billion annually), help families save money, reduce one’s personal carbon footprint, save lives from vehicle-related deaths, and make our communities healthier and more livable.
You’ll find no complaints from me about balancing the budget (“Maryland Gov. Wes Moore unveils $63.1B budget with increases for child care, juvenile services and no new taxes,” Jan. 17). Perhaps instead of cutting basic, essential services to low-income residents of Maryland, Governor Moore should practice some self-examination and look critically at some of his pet interests that cost the state hundreds of millions (I’m looking at you, stadium subsidies).
I agree that the MTA is due for an update — we can always reexamine how to deliver service most effectively — but cutting the transit budget is a step in the wrong direction.
— Matthew Stanonis, Halethorpe
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