📰 DART Funding Dispute Divides Cities and Board Members, Creates Legislative Action B

By Teresa Lusk

Dallas Area Rapid Transit (DART), formed in 1983, and made up of 13 member cities including Dallas, Plano, Irving, Richardson, and others, receives its funding from the 1% local sales tax collected from the perspective city. Dallasnews.com reports that Plano contributes approximately $110 million, only second to Dallas at $407.8 million in tax revenues (Dallas Morning News, 2025).

The disparity of contributions to transit services rendered has created a debate within several of the participating cities, with a motion to lower their contributions by 25%—a move without consensus and now in the hands of Representative Matt Shaheen (R-Plano), the sponsor of House Bill 3187, along with co-authors Morgan Meyer (R-Dallas), Jared Patterson (R-Frisco), and Terry Canales (D-Edinburg) (Texas Legislature, 2025). Texas State Senator Angela Paxton (R-McKinney), along with co-sponsors Brent Hagenbuch (R-Denton) and Tan Parker (R-Flower Mound), are the sponsors of Senate Bill 1557. These bills would grant the reduction in contributions, and permit the funds allocating of revenue toward other city-specific projects such as sidewalks and traffic signals.

DART, an organization governed by appointees, typically selected by their city council members such as Anthony Ricciardelli (Plano Representative), and Doug Hrbacek (Carrollton/Irving Representative), support the proposal for reduction, while others are opposed or open to reviewing the proposal further, and some remain off the record (Dallas Area Rapid Transit [DART], 2025).

City Council member Anthony Ricciardelli, the city’s new representative on the DART board, reflects:

"My goal is to do what's right for DART, what's right for Plano and what's right for the region," Ricciardelli told KERA, "and I don't think those goals are mutually exclusive" (KERA News, 2025).

A struggling economy has many concerned that the reduction in funds toward the transportation operation could impair an already hurting community, while representatives who support the reduction feel the funds should be used for infrastructure improvements that support the effective operation of DART.

About the Author

Teresa Lusk is a journalist, commentator, and host of Newsroom Teresa Lusk, where she interviews elected officials and civic leaders on the issues shaping Texas. She is also a professional communications coach, equipping public leaders, candidates, and executives with the tools to speak with clarity, confidence, and impact. Learn more at www.NewsroomTeresaLusk.com. Teresa is passionate about transparency, local governance, and empowering communities with the facts they need to stay informed and engaged.

📚 References

Dallas Area Rapid Transit. (2025). About DART board members. https://www.dart.org/about/about-dart/board-members

Dallas Morning News. (2025, January 8). DART eyes boost to Plano service but downplays $55M funding plea. https://www.dallasnews.com/news/transportation/2025/01/08/dart-eyes-boost-to-plano-service-but-downplays-55m-funding-plea

Community Impact. (2025, March 31). DART board signals support for refunding sales tax to select cities. https://communityimpact.com/dallas-fort-worth/plano-north/transportation/2025/03/31/dart-board-signals-support-for-refunding-sales-tax-to-select-cities

KERA News. (2025, April 22). Plano’s new DART board rep joins at a tense time for Dallas’ transit agency. https://www.keranews.org/news/2025-04-22/dart-plano-dallas-transit-mediation-legislation-anthony-ricciardelli

Texas Legislature. (2025). House Bill 3187, 89th Legislature, Regular Session. https://capitol.texas.gov/Search/DocViewer.aspx?DocId=89RHB031871B

Texas Legislature. (2025). Senate Bill 1557, 89th Legislature, Regular Session. https://capitol.texas.gov/BillLookup/History.aspx?LegSess=89R&Bill=SB1557

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