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House Approves Tax, Spending Bills, Senate to Vote Next; Measure Places Transit Commute Benefit in Parity with Parking, Alternative Fuels Tax Credit Extended
As Passenger Transport went to press, the House voted 318-109 on Dec. 17 to approve the $680 billion tax extenders bill. Early on Friday, Dec. 18, the House voted 316-113 to pass a $1.1 trillion omnibus spending bill that would fund the government through September 2016. The bills were combined in the House and sent to the Senate, which is expected to pass the measure Dec. 18.
The House bill extends the Alternative Fuels Tax Credit through 2016. APTA President & CEO Michael Melaniphy said this measure “will help the many public transportation systems across the country who use alternative fuel to provide safe, reliable and clean public transit services. It will also encourage additional public transit agencies to use alternative fuels.”
If the Senate also approves the combined tax and appropriations measure passed by the House, the commuter benefit for public transportation riders would receive permanent parity with the parking benefit, at a monthly maximum of $255 for both programs beginning in 2016. The maximum monthly amount allowed for the commuter benefit in 2015 was $130, compared with $250 for the parking benefit.
APTA Chair Valarie J. McCall called the vote “a terrific moment for the millions of Americans who use public transportation and for the public transportation industry.” She continued, “The U.S. House of Representatives has passed legislation that will ensure that the U.S. tax code will be consistent for both public transit riders and those individuals who use the parking benefit. We look forward to its passage in the Senate.”
Melaniphy said, “Permanent parity with the parking benefit has been a long time coming. Assuming the tax extension legislation also passes in the Senate, federal tax law will no longer favor driving and parking over public transportation. It is sound policy that will promote greater usage of public transit.”
Earlier, both the House and Senate approved a Continuing Resolution that would fund the government at current levels through Dec. 22.
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