150 likes | 239 Views
Transportation Reauthorization Presented by: Erich W. Zimmermann, Director Transportation Programs National Association of Regional Councils. Overview. About NARC MAP-21: Quick Overview MAP-21: The Sequel Answers? NARC and Reauthorization. About NARC.
E N D
Transportation Reauthorization Presented by: Erich W. Zimmermann, DirectorTransportation Programs National Association of Regional Councils
Overview • About NARC • MAP-21: Quick Overview • MAP-21: The Sequel • Answers? • NARC and Reauthorization
About NARC • National non-profit trade organization • Represents multi-jurisdictional regional planning organizations – large and small, urban and rural • Thank you for extremely strong AZ membership • Formed by NACo and NLC • Governed by local elected officials • President Hon. Penny Gross, Supervisor, Fairfax County, VA • Advised by Executive Directors • Four core areas of concentration • Transportation • Economic & Community Development • Homeland Security/Public Safety • Environment • Membership covers 97% of counties; 99% of population
MAP-21 Reauthorization – The Basics • Signed July 6, 2012 • First reauthorization since 2005 • Required 11 extensions of previous law • 27-month authorization (expires 10/1/2014) • Current funding levels maintained plus inflation • $105 billion for FY13 & FY14 (~$53 billion/yr) • ~$41 b/yr for federal highways • Transfers $18.8 billion to HTF from GF • Congressional reauthorization hearings have started
MAP-21 Reauthorization – Challenges • Funding, funding, funding • Not sustainable • Trust fund facing insolvency • CBO Drops a bomb at TRB • Heavy reliance on general funds • $41 billion to date, plus $12.6b for ’14 • Another $15b would be need for ‘15 (CBO) • Makes extending the bill potentially challenging • House leadership wants to discuss policy, minority may be reluctant to be out front on this • Prospects for broad-based tax reform unclear at best • Thought to be best avenue for gas tax increase • Sen. Baucus’ retirement
MAP-21 Reauthorization – Answers? • No lack of ideas, but severe lack of political will to make them happen • Gas tax increase • Wholesale tax to replace per gallon tax • VMT Tax? • Tolling • Everybody wants the next TIFIA • Financing ≠ Funding
MAP-21 Reauthorization – Answers? • Secretary Foxx (TRB conference, 1/15/14) • Funding • Efficiency • National Vision • Safety • Focus on “other” modes (biking, walking)
MAP-21 Reauthorization – Answers? • Committee Chairman Shuster (Kick off reauthorization hearing, 1/14/14) • “Fiscally responsible” • Build on reforms of MAP-21 • Reduce regulatory burdens • Ensure federal partners have flexibility in how they spend and approve projects • Also: performance measures, freight
MAP-21 Reauthorization – Answers? • Not all about funding • In fact, some areas of potential policy agreement on the Hill • Freight • Streamlining • Performance Measures
MAP-21 Reauthorization • Roundtable Goals: • Provide an opportunity for Regions to connect with colleagues, • review major parts of MAP-21, • provide comment and feedback, and • share experiences. • AND • Develop recommendations for reauthorization
MAP-21 Reauthorization MAP-21 Topics Covered
MAP-21 Reauthorization – NARC’s Perspective • Threshold • Funding • Avoid additional burdens w/o additional funding • Flexibility • Sub-allocation • STP/TAP/CMAQ • Freight • Dedicated funding • Strong regional role • Intermodal • Safety
Thank you! My contact info: erich@narc.org202-986-1032 x212 NARC contact info: www.narc.org 202.986.1032