Public transportation by any other name is a "sinkhole for votes"...

One of the programs associated with the Obama administration's "Stimulus" was a commuter transit benefit of $230/month.  The noble idea was to encourage people to use public transportation or car pooling and thereby reduce both fossil fuel use as well as carbon emissions.  Or, perhaps the idea was to provide a tax break to those who are dependent on public transportation.

 

 

On December 31, 2011, the Stimulus part of the program met the end of the road, the date of its "sunset."

 

The Motley Monk learned of this program via an email notice:

 

CAMPUS NEWS

Commuter Plan Update

We have been advised by our administrator, WageWorks, that the government has not extended the monthly allowable transit benefit that had been increased as a part of The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009. As a result, effective January 1, 2012, the limit for the monthly commuter transit benefit will be changed from $230 to $125. If you would like to make a change to your Commuter Plan election, please contact WageWorks at 1-877-924-3967 by January 8, 2012.

The "news" is not that those who have enjoyed the "monthly commuter transit benefit" will have to come up with an additional $105/month.  For The Motley Monk, the "news" is that the government has been providing this benefit all along!  In addition to subsidizing public transportation directly, the federal government is also subsidizing public transportation indirectly and, in this instance, in the form of tax credits.

Imagine where public transportation would be if those who use it had pay for it!

The Motley Monk thinks the noble ideal was to "spread the costs around" to make public transportation "more affordable."  On the other hand, the less-than-noble ideal was to buy votes.


Let the discussion begin...



To learn more about the "Qualified Transportation Fringe Benefits under ARRA," click on the following link:
http://www.irs.gov/newsroom/article/0,,id=205664,00.html