Rep. Lawler’s Transit Funding Flexibility Act of 2025 receives SMART-TD Endorsement

Washington, D.C. — Sept. 3, 2025 —Congressman Mike Lawler (R-NY-17) introduced the Transit Funding Flexibility Act of 2025, which addresses the ongoing fiscal crisis faced by America’s public transportation systems. This legislation, if passed, would provide a long-term solution to allocate transit funding. SMART-TD endorses this legislation.  

Rep. Lawler also co-sponsored the bipartisan Railroad Yardmaster Protection Act alongside Rep. Salud Carbajal (D-CA). We are grateful for his continued commitment to advocating for the men and women who keep America’s transportation systems moving safely and reliably. 

Local Control over Allocation of Grant Money

The Transit Funding Flexibility Act allows recipients of certain grant funds to use that money for operating costs, like paying our SMART-TD members. The funds are currently restricted to costs associated with equipment and facilities used in public transportation. 

Restrictions on how transit funding can be allocated have limited the ability of local agencies to direct money where it is most urgently needed. This bill confronts this problem by giving decision-makers in cities across the country the flexibility to use their funding to preserve and improve service, sustain jobs, and strengthen public transit systems. 

At a time when major transit systems in Philadelphia and Chicago are on the verge of a meltdown, this legislation will empower cities to maximize the effectiveness of their existing resources. 

Chicago, Philadelphia Face Devastating Cuts Without this Flexibility 

Bob Guy, SMART-TD’s Illinois State Safety and Legislative Director, highlighted the importance of this flexibility: 

“In this era of fiscal cliffs for public transit, this bill can help us avoid the large-scale cuts to our workforce we are looking at. Right now, our Chicago members at METRA, along with CTA and PACE, are being told to expect a 40% cut. The Transit Funding Flexibility Act gives us the ability to use the resources we have where they matter most, and that is sustaining the workforce and ensuring service continues in our city.”  

Brother Guy went further, saying, “This isn’t just about our members. Businesses in this city depend on a reliable way to get their employees to the workplace. If routes start getting cut, our economy will suffer. This bill will help us keep our SMART-TD brothers and sisters in the business of keeping Chicago running.”  

Anthony Petty, General Chairperson representing SMART-TD’s SEPTA members in Philadelphia, echoed this sentiment:  

“Any help works at this point. Obviously, what we need right now is more funding for public transit. But freeing up what transit agencies can do with the money they do have does help. Here at SEPTA in Philadelphia, we have a new General Manager. I see this bill as a way for the federal government to get out of the way and let Scott Sower (SEPTA GM) get creative and see what he can figure out.  One thing we know for sure is that the current situation is not sustainable.” 

Public Outrage at Service Cuts Impacts Frontline Workers 

It isn’t just our SMART-TD members who are upset about the cuts at SEPTA. Brother Petty also told SMART News that, “The public is understandably angry about the cuts we’ve been told are coming. It has got to the point where I’m more worried about our members’ safety than ever. These passengers are mad and feel like they are getting cheated. And those of us on the front line are the only people they see to take out their frustrations on.”  

“This is a bad situation. I want to see this bill pass, but I’d love to see additional funding come along with it. One way or the other, it is good to see work being done to figure out how we get ourselves out of this funding situation.” 

SMART-TD Supports Congressman Lawler’s Project 

With transit systems under severe strain nationwide, SMART-TD is excited to see our legislators engaged in this fight and working to brainstorm creative, long-term solutions to the complicated issue of transit funding. 

Our members and the services they provide are essential to this country, yet we are too often overlooked or taken for granted. Congressman Lawler and his staff have shown a willingness to listen, act, and advocate for real solutions. SMART-TD looks forward to helping champion this bill, educating decision-makers, and fighting for a stable and reliable future for public transportation.