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Bay Area Rapid Transit's (BART) board has endorsed California Gov. Jerry Brown's proposed state budget, which allocates funds for statewide public transit as well as $15.5 million toward BART's upcoming annual budget.

The governor's proposal would reaffirm the “gas tax swap” enacted last year, which dedicated sales tax on diesel to public transit; provides $329 million for transit in fiscal-year 2011-12 through the state Transit Assistance Program; and allocates funds toward BART’s budget, BART officials said in a prepared statement.

The budget includes spending cuts and tax extensions to address a more than $25 billion projected deficit, according to the agency.

"We're hoping to use our leverage as the first major transit agency in the state to formally call on other political leaders to voice their support of Gov. Brown's plan," said James Fang, a BART board member. "While nobody is in favor of extending tax increases, Gov. Brown's plan provides a way for California to regain our financial footing."