A federal judge in Arizona has ordered a multi-million-dollar transit support program be reinstated because its elimination violates federal law. Last year the Arizona Legislature decided to end the Local Transportation Assistance Fund. According to the Arizona Republic, U.S. District Court Judge David Campbell’s decision should send more than $10 million back to local governments for various transit projects.
The ruling pointed to an illegal action because the transit support funds are part of the Phoenix area’s federally approved plant to reduce air pollution. Judge Campbell ruled that the Legislature does not have the authority to change requirements of the federal Clean Air Act without federal approval. A Sept. 23 deadline has been set for both sides to either submit arguments to the order or agree to its wording.