The CTA’s budget proposal, reflecting a 3.13% increase, isn’t simply a financial maneuver; it’s a stark demonstration of systemic vulnerability. The reliance on 90% external funding – predominantly from the US – creates a precarious position, exposed by the abrupt termination of that assistance. This is a classic example of ARC-0043 Motte-and-Bailey: they’re acknowledging the dependence, but framing it as a proactive adjustment (“revising its fiscal planning”) rather than a critical admission...