In Tulsa, it is somewhat commonplace for request to be made of the Mayor to welcome attendees at well-attended conventions. When the request comes from an organization that shapes national public policy on an issue of vital importance to our community, the attendees are almost assured of receiving more than a few welcoming comments.

Such was the case when the American Association of State Highway & Transportation Officials came to Tulsa in October for their national gathering.

It was a natural location for AASHTO, because Tulsa is the inter-modal heart of Oklahoma, where navigation, air, rail, interstates, turnpikes, buses and bikeways converge.

After the normal welcoming comments, it was time to get down to business, and our community's agenda.

"Let me begin with a few comments about transportation funding - something we speak frequently about to out state DOT. Following the enactment of TEA-21, the U.S. Conference of Mayors, where I serve as a member of the board, began a campaign to ensure that funding equity did not stop at the state lines, and that the principals of funding equity be extended to the cities and metropolitan regions."

"To help us understand the flow of dollars among areas within states, the Conference asked the Surface Transportation Policy Project to prepare a report on ISTEA since no official report from U.S. DOT or the states was expected."

"The STPP report estimated the amount of funding each urbanized area of the country received on its investment of federal gas taxes relative to highway spending. In Tulsa, we undertook an additional analysis of the STPP report to expand the basic information to include the allocation of state-generated dollars and to ensure the accuracy of STPP."

"Tulsa, Oklahoma City, Enid and Lawton -- the metropolitan areas in Oklahoma - were shown to be significant donor cities for the rest of the state, receiving only 30 cents to 77 cents of every dollar, while the rest of Oklahoma was receiving approximately 95 cents on the dollar. This is a situation that Tulsa is working to correct with the Governor, Legislature and state DOT."

"The cities and metropolitan regions will continue to push for a more equitable distribution of federal resources among donor states and donor cities -- not just for federal and state highway and transit funding, but for our airports, environmental operations, schools, hospitals, etc."

"We must take that leadership position, if our cities are to continue to be the economic engines of this country."

"To assist in this discussion, the Conference of Mayors commissioned an analysis from Standard & Poors which examines the size and scope of metropolitan economics. This study showed that many of our cities had a gross product in excess of m any countries, and many states."

"For example, the study ranked Tulsa 66th nationwide in merchandise exports, with nearly $1.6 billion. Oklahoma City ranked 112th, with $884 million. In total, the two largest metro areas in Oklahoma generate almost $2.5 billion in exports."

How does that figure relate to transportation?

"The statistics prompt several questions: Do we as a state know, with specificity, what infrastructure should be protected and/or expanded to grow that number to $3 billion, or even double it to $5 billion? Or is it assumed that the dollars must just be spent on our interstate highway system? How do air cargo facilities, the expansion of rail yards and railroad passenger service, and our ports factor into the equation?"

"Tulsa does its part. Between 1996 and 2001, the City of Tulsa will spend nearly a half a billion dollars of locally generated money to invest in the upgrade and expansion of its infrastructure. This is above and beyond any state or federal funds. However, we know that the state and federal agencies must be part of this effort to address these needs comprehensively."

"Ensuring that the citizens of this region receive their fair share in surface transportation is not the only focus of our transportation needs."

"We support passage of AIR-21, the $57 billion, 5-year aviation authorization bill. Tulsa receives just 14 cents of every dollar it collects for the aviation trust funds. Without question, the existing formula is inequitable and such dramatic differences between donor and donee status must end, and end this session of Congress (Congress failed to act on AIR-21 before it recessed last month). Tulsa is strongly committed to supporting Congressman Bud Shuster's efforts to take the aviation trust fund off budget and give airports increased flexibility."

"Clean air may no seem like a transportation issues, but their relationship is closely bound. Changes in the Clean Air standards and their impact on cities are still unknown. This past ozone season, Tulsa had numerous exceedences of the proposed new ambient air quality standards, but no exceedences under the existing, older, standard."

"While TEA-21 increases transportation funding, the effect of a potential non-attainment designation will impact compliance for new transportation construction as it already has in other regions. This issue is an extremely important one for local governments as we try to satisfy a new Clean Air standard, yet deal with growing transportation needs. This is also an area where uniform public policy can only benefit communities."

"It is my understanding that recently AASHTO, EPA, FHA and the state DOT's held a meeting regarding the Clean Air Act and its implications for infrastructure funding in urban areas. Today, I would ask that AASHTO, EPA, FHA and the state DOT's expand this effort to include leaders from local communities so that we may expand what is a natural partnership."

"As a Mayor, it is a critical part of my job to work toward the connection of transportation modes to build our economy. It is much easy to do that job when you are our partner. Thank you for allowing me to spend some time with you this morning, as you continue your important work."