Arizona ordered to reinstate transit program

PHOENIX — A federal judge ruled that the state of Arizona will have to reinstate a transit-support program worth several million dollars because its elimination violates federal law, The Arizona Republic reported.

The ruling is expected to bring more than $10 million to local governments for transit projects and reverse the Arizona Legislature's 2010 move to end the Local Transportation Assistance Fund.

The Legislature's action was illegal, the judge ruled, because the transit-support funds are part of the Phoenix area's federally approved plan to fight air pollution and the Legislature does not have the authority to change federal Clean Air Act requirements without federal approval. For the full story, click here.