A State appeals court has barred state officials from taking public transit funds for other programs, which will likely make it even more difficult to balance the state's budget.  A spokesman for the Department of Finance says Tuesday’s decision by the Third District Court of Appeal could force the state to repay about three-point-four billion dollars to transit agencies around the state.  Nevada County Transit Services Agency Manager, Susan Healey-Harman says the state has been diverting transit funds to pay its bills for years.

“It’s good news for transit in that it really validates the fact that the state generated transit monies and sending it where it shouldn’t be sent and depriving public transit from money that should have been theirs. However, these things get caught up in the courts for years sometimes. Anyway, it’s the first step and we’ll see how it goes.”

Healey-Harman says the decision will likely have no impact locally for several years.