"A vote six years in the making that would decimate the Dallas Area Rapid Transit system might soon be called off, potentially averting a major funding crisis for the agency - though advocates say there's more work to be done to make sure every DFW resident has the mass mobility options they deserve. Since the beginning of the decade, a handful of wealthy, sprawling suburban cities in the greater Dallas metro have been fighting"
"By state law, local governments are only allowed to levy a total of two percent of sales taxes, including the allocation for DART. That cap, city leaders have said, is preventing them from investing in other services such as economic development corporations that are allowed to provide incentives for businesses or developers. Tensions came to a head earlier this year when the six cities announced they would each hold referendum votes in May, asking voters to leave the transit system altogether."
Six wealthy suburban Dallas-area cities sought exemptions from a one percent sales tax funding Dallas Area Rapid Transit (DART), arguing they contribute more than they receive and face a two percent state sales tax cap limiting other local investments. The cities planned referendums that would withdraw them from DART, threatening to remove over $200 million and immediately end bus, paratransit, and other services for more than 600,000 residents. Local leaders proposed replacing services with city-subsidized microtransit operated by private companies. DART has already reduced bus routes as part of budget cuts, affecting low-income residents.
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