For Immediate Release:
April 10, 2025
Major Transit and Budget Transparency Bills Stall on Last Day of Session
Advocates respond to stalling of major transportation bills to reduce pollution and expand transportation options
Annapolis, MD – The 447th Legislative Session of the Maryland General Assembly ended Monday April 7 at 11:59 pm, without taking action on important transportation bills before adjourning for the year. Among the bills that did not make it across the finish line was the Transportation and Climate Alignment Act (HB 84/ SB 395). This bill was sponsored by Delegate Mark Edelson and Senator Shelly Hettleman, endorsed by the Maryland Transit Caucus, and received strong support from the Maryland Department of Transportation. The bill aimed to advance more affordable public transit and bicycle and pedestrian options while reducing Maryland’s pollution from highway expansion projects. The bill passed the House with bipartisan support but did not advance in the Senate this legislative session.
Additionally, the General Assembly did not advance two other important bills sponsored by the Maryland Department of Transportation:
- The Transportation Investment Priorities Act of 2025 (HB 20/SB 198). This bill would have increased the transparency of spending decisions by creating a streamlined process for local governments to make funding requests for transportation projects and for prioritizing the use of limited state capital funding on the most effective projects.
- Land Use - Transit-Oriented Development - Alterations (HB 80/SB 190). This bill would have helped encourage mixed-use development around rail stations, promoting sustainable affordable housing and maximizing the state’s investment in transit by increasing economic development and transit ridership.
The General Assembly raised transportation fees and taxes to address the funding imbalance for the transportation budget. The General Assembly should pair this new funding with spending reforms that focus on the state of good repair of existing roads, bridges, and transit and support access to sustainable, affordable transportation choices such as public transit, walking, and biking. The Trump administration’s tariffs on cars and auto parts are anticipated to increase the cost of vehicle ownership. Now more than ever, it is important that Marylanders have access to affordable transportation choices.
In response to the stalling of major transit and budget transparency bills, advocates have released the following statements:
“Maryland Sierra Club applauds Delegate Edelson, Senator Hettleman, and the Moore Administration for introducing legislation that would provide transparency and accountability on how new transportation dollars are being spent. We encourage the General Assembly to enact the Transportation and Climate Alignment Act next session,” said Lindsey Mendelson, Senior Transportation Campaign Representative of the Maryland Sierra Club. “68% of Marylanders agree that having access to better public transit, walking and biking would help them reduce time sitting in traffic or save money on transportation expenses. It is important that we spend our transportation dollars in ways that save people money while reducing harmful pollution."
“Governor Moore led. We raised revenues. It is a golden opportunity to invest in a mix of projects that helps Maryland households save money, people get to jobs, and kids get to school. Instead, by not passing any of the spending accountability bills, the Maryland General Assembly has opted to pour more taxpayer money into the status quo. Expect more of the same problems,” said Brian O’Malley, President & CEO of the Central Maryland Transportation Alliance.
“Maryland has passed some of the strongest climate goals in the country, but without action on policies like the Transportation and Climate Alignment Act, these goals will remain unmet,” said Casey Hunter, Program & Policy Coordinator for the League of Women Voters of Maryland. “Marylanders will pay the price in worsening air quality, high transportation costs, and continued inequity in how we invest in our communities if the Transportation and Climate Alignment Act does not pass next year.”
“The Senate should have advanced the accompanying legislation the Maryland Department of Transportation said they needed to spend that money effectively. Without these legislative guardrails, expect more of the same: disproportionate investment in congestion-inducing road projects. We need spending reform or we will expect to continue the generation-long trend of underinvestment in Baltimore City, and kids trying to get to school and people trying to get to jobs on transit will suffer as a result,” said Jed Weeks, Executive Director of Bikemore.
“We urge our state legislators to fully understand the situation we’re in. The transportation system that we have built over the past several generations is too expensive to maintain, too unaffordable to use, and frequently clogged up with too many automobiles. We are in a hole and we need to stop digging that hole deeper with highway expansion projects that keep feeding more development that requires people to own automobiles they can't afford,” said Michael Scepaniak, President of Baltimoreans for People-Oriented Places (BaltPOP).
“The Senate missed an opportunity to help reinvigorate Maryland's economy and make it a more affordable place to live. Facilitating new housing and mixed-use development near transit, and providing affordable and clean travel options would make the state a more competitive and attractive place to live and do business,” said Bill Pugh, AICP, Senior Policy Fellow with the Coalition for Smarter Growth.
Speaking for Chesapeake Physicians for Social Responsibility, Dr. Terry Fitzgerald noted: “Not advancing TCA was a missed opportunity to promote a healthier Maryland by changing our transportation mix. Transit is safer. Bike lanes and trails are safer and promote healthy exercise. Decreased miles traveled decreases pollution and therefore heart and lung disease. But we are especially concerned that our society fails to address the truly serious long-term consequences of our greenhouse gases. We are in real danger, but we do not act like it. We must prevent what we cannot cure.”
“As the cost of owning and operating cars rises, meeting weekly expenses becomes more challenging, and economic uncertainty threatens more Maryland businesses. Increasing transit choices is even more important in helping Marylanders make ends meet and ensuring that Maryland businesses thrive,” said Frances Stewart, Chapter co-lead, Elders Climate Action. We are disappointed that the Maryland Senate did not advance the Transportation and Climate Alignment Act, which would have provided residents and businesses more transit opportunities.”
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