President looks to states, localities to raise revenue for infrastructure
The approach now being contemplated is considered innovative by some infrastructure experts but also carries considerable political and economic risks for Trump, according to a Washington Post report.
WASHINGTON, D.C. — The Washington Post reports that the White House wants to reward states and localities willing to raise taxes or other revenue to pay for new projects as part of its infrastructure plan.
The approach now being contemplated is considered innovative by some infrastructure experts but also carries considerable political and economic risks for Trump, according to the report.
While some in his own party remain wary of any new spending, many state and local officials and Democrats in Congress would like to see a more robust federal investment. As part of the plan, the feds would cover only $200 billion of the $1 trillion infrastructure tab under the legislation being developed. Some also worry that taxes and fees raised at the local level could cancel out any potential benefits of a federal tax bill for their constituents. For the full story, click here.
The region’s fixed-route system finished out the year with a total of 373.5 million rides. Adding 12.3 million rides over 2024 represents an increase that is equal to the annual transit ridership of Kansas City.
The service is a flexible, reservation-based transit service designed to close the first- and last-mile gaps and connect riders to employment for just $5 per day.
The upgraded system, which went live earlier this month, supports METRO’s METRONow vision to enhance the customer experience, improve service reliability, and strengthen long-term regional mobility.
The agreement provides competitive wages and reflects strong labor-management collaboration, positive working relationships, and a shared commitment to building a world-class transit system for the community, said RTA CEO Lona Edwards Hankins.
The priorities are outlined in the 2026 Board and CEO Initiatives and Action Plan, which serves as a roadmap to guide the agency’s work throughout the year and ensure continued progress and accountability on voter-approved transportation investments and essential mobility services.