About this Letter of Support:
Board of Trade President Jack McDougle wrote a Letter of Support to Virginia Governor Glenn Youngkin, encouraging and praising the efforts of Virginia lawmakers addressing the short-term funding gap that WMATA was facing that could have impacted vital regional transportation in Downtown D.C., Northern Virginia, and suburban Maryland.
Submitted Letter:
Dear Governor Youngkin,
The Greater Washington Board of Trade continues to support Virginia by providing FY25 and FY26 funding for the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA).
The importance of Metro to Virginia’s economic development cannot be overstated. Proximity to frequent, safe, and reliable Metro service is instrumental in attracting major investments, corporate relocations, the expansion of our regional workforce, and our overall quality of life. The economic activity supported by Metrorail contributes an estimated $1 billion annually in state tax revenues, benefiting not only Northern Virginia but the entire Commonwealth.
We commend your efforts to work with lawmakers to reach a consensus on the biennium budget and urge you and the General Assembly to prioritize funding for Metro. The General Assembly had allocated $65 million for FY25 and $87 million for FY26, both to be matched by Northern Virginia jurisdictions. These funds constitute the essential minimum required to address Metro’s operating funding shortfall and meet formula commitments made by DC and Maryland.
Metro is making progress as it rebuilds from the fallout caused by the pandemic, leading the nation in recovering passengers. Still, there are long-term governance, operating, and financial deficiencies that must be addressed. We are prepared to play a significant role in the recently announced effort between WMATA and the Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments to address these issues to ensure the system remains viable for the long-term.
I urge you and the General Assembly to work towards a budget that includes adequate support for this essential transportation system. Thank you for your attention to this matter and for your dedication to the prosperity of Virginia.
