A "full study," in transportation terms, is neither inexpensive nor quick. It's an exhaustive process that can take years. In addition, the MTA contends it already gave heavy rail -- a subway like the current Metro --  all the study it merited. An unfunded study would likely lead to nothing more than a restatement of the MTA's current position.

If any language regarding these transit lines is adopted at all, it is likely to be so weak as to be meaningless. Additional language in the Senate bill requiring the MTA to come up with a payment plan 45 days after submitting plans for the projects to the federal government is also clearly a nonstarter unless the intent to to block all three -- a highly doubtful prospect given that Baltimore and the  Washington suburbs both have stakes in the projects moving forward. That's simply too soon in the process to put money on the table. That won't happen until the feds have rendered a decision.

Meanwhile, the House also rejected budget language that would divert almost $60 million a year that had been scheduled to go toward transportation starting in 2013 to the general fund. The Senate had proposed to cancel a planned increase in the percentage of the state sales tax going to transportation. Under current law, itransportation's share would go from 5.2 percent to 6.5 percent of the sales tax starting in the budget that begins July 1, 2013.  

Once again, the House is in a stronger position here. For one thing, lawmakers know the Transportation Trust Fund is already in dire condition and will need a post-election transfusion. For another, the Senate is getting out front on an issue that needn't be dealt with this year. In the legislative game, indecision trumps decision whenever a decision isn't urgently required.