Hearings to Focus on Transportation Issues
by Leslie Wollack
The Department of Transportation (DOT) is holding a series of hearings held around the country to gather stakeholder comments on the future of the federal surface transportation program.
The National Surface Transportation Policy and Revenue Commission, chaired by new Transportation Secretary Mary Peters, will consider the roles of various levels of government in meeting future surface transportation financing needs and potential compatibility issues with state and local tax alternatives. The commission was created by the Safe, Accountable, Flexible and Efficient Transportation Equity Act (SAFETEA-LU) enacted by Congress last year.
The 12 members of the panel represent federal, state and local governments, metropolitan planning organizations, transportation-related industries and public interest groups. Unless Congress enacts corrections to SAFETEA-LU, the commission must report on its conclusions by July 1, 2007. NLC will join with other organizations representing state and local governments in co-hosting hearings scheduled for April 18-19 in Minneapolis, Minn. The details for the hearing are still being worked out with DOT.
“Being selected to host this hearing is significant because it is a loud signal that federal policy makers are truly interested in engaging local and state government in solving our transportation finance crisis early and at a high level in the federal policy process,” said Bill Brooks, mayor of Belle Isle, Fla., and chair of NLC’s Transportation Infrastructure and Services Steering Committee.
“This should not be understated in transportation policy history because it reverses a trend known long to state and local government but not previously acknowledged, which is that America got into the transportation crisis by Washington not listening to the state and local folks back home,” Brooks continued.
Field hearings include time for brief testimony from members of the public. Local officials are encouraged to attend hearings in their area and provide a statement on local transportation issues.
“The light appears to finally be on in Washington that the backbone of the nation’s transportation system is made up of local and state facilities, and local and state government must be at the table to help craft a solution,” said Brooks. “This hearing presents a unique opportunity for the National League of Cities and our partners in the Big 7 transportation organizations to provide the study commission with a detailed look at the transportation needs of state and local governments and to hear our ideas for the future,” continued Brooks.
The April hearing is part of a group of hearings to focus on regional and national issues.
The first field hearing, held in Dallas in September, featured discussion on the continued need for federal support, financing options, the use of tolls and public private partnerships, the need to continue to focus on multi-modal system, support of transit, ideas for reducing congestion and regional approaches. Future field hearing date and locations include:
• November 15-16 New York;
• November 15-16 Memphis, Tenn.;
• February 21-22, 2007 Los Angeles;
• February 21-22, 2007 Atlanta;
• April 18-19, 2007 Minneapolis-St. Paul, Minn.; and
• April 18-19, 2007 Chicago
Source: National League of Cities (NLC). For more information on the NLC, click here.