More Equitable Transit in MD

In June 2015, Governor Larry Hogan canceled the Red Line project- a project that not only would have allowed Black Baltimoreans access to better jobs but also created a transit system that would have rejuvenated Baltimore's lagging economy as well as fight climate change in urban areas. In canceling the Red Line, Governor returned $900 million dollars to the federal government and shifted $736 million more to road projects in predominately white neighborhoods, thereby continuing the inequities that have plagued working poor and minority communities for decades.  

That same year, Baltimore Transit Equity Coalition (a SURJ accountability partner) filed a Title VI complaint against Governor Hogan and the Maryland Department of Transportation citing discrimination by violating Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1965, which prohibits discrimination of programs receiving federal funds on the basis of race, gender, or nationality. However, in 2017, their complaint was rebuffed by the Trump administration. Not to be deterred, the Baltimore Transit Equity Coalition began to push to correct this egregious error by gaining allies and creating legislation.

HB141/SB 23 would enforce Title VI of the Civil Rights Act by conducting transit equity analyses, cost-benefit analyses, and outreach to impacted communities before public hearings, ensuring equitable transportation for all communities.

Sponsored by
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Baltimore, MD