**STATEMENT**
(Sacramento, CA) – California Transit Association Executive Director Michael Pimentel issued the following statement in response to the Legislature passing the Budget Act of 2024:
“We applaud the Legislature’s action today to pass a Fiscal Year 2024-25 budget that demonstrates the state’s continued support for public transit agencies and the riders and communities they serve. Representing agreement with Governor Newsom, this budget preserves the $5.1 billion in one-time state funding for transit capital projects and operations our association fought hard to secure last year and provides transit agencies statewide with the resources they need to maintain their core services while building the transformative projects necessary for California to meet its landmark climate, mobility, public health, and equity objectives.
“With the budget now passed, we call on Governor Newsom to sign the budget bill immediately upon its receipt and to lift the current state spending freeze, which is preventing the California State Transportation Agency from allocating funding to transit agencies that was decisively appropriated last year. As we broadcast earlier this year, agencies across the state have already established plans to accomplish the goals for this funding, as codified in last year’s budget, and advance transformative work in their respective regions. By signing the budget bill and lifting the spending freeze, agencies can finally move forward with much-needed state investments that not only maximize the tangible impacts for riders, but also the financial benefits to the State and local communities by unlocking funding from the federal Bipartisan Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act.
“Transit agencies stand ready to deliver for their communities and build the infrastructure of tomorrow. We call on Governor Newsom to keep Californians moving for generations to come by signing the budget agreement as soon as possible.”
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The California Transit Association (Association) is the leading advocacy organization and champion for public transit in California. The Association’s more than 220 member organizations include transit operators, commuter rail agencies, transit support groups, national and international transit suppliers, and government agencies. With a motivated and informed membership base, the Association actively engages State decision makers to shape transit-friendly policy, secure increased transit funding and promote the benefits of a balanced transportation system. The Association represents transit's interests before the California State Legislature, the Governor, and regulatory agencies on the local, state and federal levels.