Public Transportation Funding Advocacy Alert
Urgent: DART Funding at Risk
The North Dallas business community faces a significant threat to our regional transportation infrastructure. HB 3187, which would drastically cut funding to Dallas Area Rapid Transit (DART), has been voted out of the House Transportation Committee and is now pending review by the House Calendars Committee. The NDCC strongly opposes this bill based on its severe negative impacts on regional mobility, economic development, and workforce access.
This legislation would implement devastating cuts to our region's transit system at a time when reliable transportation options are essential for business growth and workforce mobility. With the legislative session ending on June 2, immediate action is needed to prevent this bill from advancing further. Members of the business community must contact the House Calendars Committee members immediately to voice opposition to this harmful legislation.
Key Takeaways
HB 3187 has cleared committee and is now being considered by the House Calendars Committee, one step closer to becoming law
Projected impacts include a 34% reduction in service operations, elimination of 18 bus routes, reduced frequency on light rail, and cuts to the Trinity Railway Express, Silver Line, and Streetcar
Economic consequences are estimated at over $1 billion in lost economic output for our region
Immediate action is needed - calls to House Calendars Committee members must happen now before the June 2 end of session
The NDCC opposes this bill based on our guiding principles of Business-Friendliness and Positive Community Impact
Business Impact
The proposed funding cuts in HB 3187 would have far-reaching consequences for Dallas businesses across multiple sectors. With a projected $1 billion in lost economic output, these impacts would be felt throughout our economy.
For employers, reduced transit service means a more limited talent pool as workers who rely on public transportation face increased barriers to reaching job sites. Businesses located in transit-accessible areas would see fewer customers and clients able to reach their locations. Development projects along existing and planned transit corridors would face uncertainty, potentially stalling investments that depend on reliable transit connections.
The retail, hospitality, and entertainment sectors would be particularly hard hit as reduced transit operations would limit consumer mobility across the region. Healthcare providers would face challenges as patients who rely on transit for medical appointments experience increased transportation barriers. Educational institutions would see impacts as students who depend on DART face obstacles to attending classes reliably.
Small businesses that have made location decisions based on proximity to transit would face particular hardship, having invested in areas with the expectation of continued transit service. The ripple effects would extend to decreased property values near affected routes and reduced sales for businesses in transit-accessible areas.
These impacts directly contradict our region's long-term economic development strategy of creating connected, accessible communities where businesses can thrive and workers can efficiently access employment opportunities.
Background/Context
Public transportation has been a cornerstone of Dallas's economic development strategy for decades. DART, established in 1983, has grown into one of the largest public transit systems in the Southwest, with over 93 miles of light rail, extensive bus service, and commuter rail connecting Dallas to Fort Worth via the Trinity Railway Express.
The current funding structure for DART relies significantly on a 1% sales tax from member cities, a funding mechanism that has enabled consistent system expansion and service reliability. This funding approach was established through careful regional planning and cooperation among municipalities.
HB 3187 would fundamentally alter this well-established funding structure, reducing financial resources available to DART at a time when transportation needs are increasing across the region. While proponents argue the bill would return tax revenue to local control, the reality is that it would cripple a regional system that depends on stable, predictable funding to provide essential transportation services.
The timing is particularly problematic as Dallas works to address traffic congestion, air quality issues, and equitable access to employment opportunities – all challenges that effective public transportation helps mitigate. Regional economic development strategies have also been built around transit-oriented development, with significant private investment occurring along transit corridors based on the expectation of continued service.
The NDCC has historically supported transportation investments that enhance regional mobility and economic competitiveness, recognizing that effective transit is essential for business growth and workforce development.
Action Steps
Contact House Calendars Committee Members Today
Request: Please call members of the House Calendars Committee and urge them to OPPOSE HB 3187
Key Messages for Your Call:
HB 3187 would severely damage our regional transit system
The bill would result in over $1 billion in lost economic output
Reliable transit is essential for workforce access and business growth
The timing is particularly harmful as our region seeks to reduce congestion and improve mobility
House Calendars Committee Members:
Chair:
Rep. Todd Hunter (R–Corpus Christi)
Phone: (512) 463-0672
Email: todd.hunter@house.texas.gov
Vice Chair:
Rep. Toni Rose (D–Dallas)
Phone: (512) 463-0664
Email: toni.rose@house.texas.gov
Members:
Rep. Terry Canales (D–Edinburg)
Phone: (512) 463-0426
Rep. Stan Gerdes (R–Smithville)
Phone: (512) 463-0682
Email: stan.gerdes@house.texas.gov
Rep. Cody Harris (R–Palestine)
Phone: (512) 463-0730
Email: cody.harris@house.texas.gov
Rep. Ana Hernandez (D–Houston)
Phone: (512) 463-0744
Rep. Ann Johnson (D–Houston)
Phone: (512) 463-0674
Email: ann.johnson@house.texas.gov
Rep. Jeff Leach (R–Allen)
Phone: (512) 463-0544
Email: jeff.leach@house.texas.gov
Rep. Janie Lopez (R–McAllen)
Phone: (512) 463-0702
Email: janie.lopez@house.texas.gov
Rep. Ramon Romero, Jr. (D–Fort Worth)
Phone: (512) 463-0646
Email: ramon.romero@house.texas.gov
Rep. Carl Tepper (R–Lubbock)
Phone: (512) 463-0676
Email: carl.tepper@house.gov
Sample Message for Phone Calls:
"Hello, my name is [YOUR NAME] from [YOUR COMPANY] in Dallas. I'm calling to urge Representative [NAME] to oppose House Bill 3187, which would severely cut DART funding. This bill would eliminate essential transit services, result in over $1 billion in lost economic output, and make it harder for workers to reach jobs throughout our region. Our business community depends on reliable transit for workforce access and economic growth. Please vote against advancing HB 3187. Thank you for your consideration."
Additional Actions:
Share this information with your business networks and employees
Follow the NDCC's social media for updates on this issue
Review the bill details at: https://www.capitol.state.tx.us/BillLookup/History.aspx?LegSess=89R&Bill=HB3187
NDCC's Position
The NDCC strongly opposes HB 3187 based on two of our core Guiding Principles for Advocacy: Business-Friendliness and Positive Community Impact. This position has been advised by the NDCC Board of Directors’ Public Policy Council after careful analysis of the bill's implications.
Under our Business-Friendliness principle, we recognize that reliable public transportation directly contributes to economic gain for businesses of all sizes by ensuring workforce mobility, customer access, and efficient movement of people throughout our region. The projected $1 billion in economic losses contradicts our commitment to policies that drive greater revenue and enhance the business environment.
The Positive Community Impact principle is equally relevant, as public transit provides broadly beneficial services for people living and working in Dallas. Transit access directly contributes to businesses' ability to recruit and maintain their workforce, particularly for entry-level and service positions where personal vehicle ownership may not be feasible.
For more information on the NDCC's Guiding Principles for Advocacy, visit: https://ndcc.org/guiding-principles-for-advocacy/
Call to Action
The time to act is now. HB 3187 represents a serious threat to our region's transit system and economic vitality, with consequences that would be felt for decades. With the legislative session ending June 2, we have a narrow window to ensure this damaging legislation doesn't advance further.
Please take five minutes today to call members of the House Calendars Committee and voice your opposition to this bill. Your voice as a business leader carries significant weight in these discussions. Together, we can protect the transportation infrastructure that supports our business community and regional economy.
Learn more about the NDCC's advocacy positions and guiding principles at: https://ndcc.org/guiding-principles-for-advocacy/
This analysis is based on information compiled by the NDCC, including details provided by DART officials regarding the potential impact of HB 3187.