"The consequences of legislative inaction include cutting 17 percent of bus service, forcing tens of thousands of people into their cars, and making traffic congestion that much worse for every car and truck on the already crowded roads. It would mean closing at least 35 county bridges over time due to a lack of funds for maintenance and repair, and closing some roads in danger of failure."

The special session politics could doom new revenues for Metro, which would mean deep cuts in routes and frequencies.