By Ron Thaniel and Lina Garcia
February 17, 2003

Ten national associations have joined with the U.S. Conference of Mayors to press for a transportation agenda intended to stimulate the economy, increase local control, combat congestion in local communities as well as increase overall safety.

At a National Press Club press conference February 10, U.S. Conference of Mayors Transportation Committee Chair Fort Worth Mayor Kenneth L. Barr joined by the National League of Cities and National Association of Counties and other coalition partners representing elected and appointed officials, urged Congress to follow key recommendations when it reauthorizes the Transportation Equity Act for the 21st Century (TEA-21) this year. The act, which expires September 30, has directed $218 billion into the nation's transit and highways system.

"Transportation is an economic stimulus. It creates jobs and helps ensure that cities, counties, regions and states thrive," Mayor Kenneth Barr said. "Adequate funding of TEA-21 is not only necessary for our local economies but also critically impacts safety and congestion issues in our communities."

Mayor Barr also noted, "for every $1 billion dollars invested in transportation development in local communities, over 42,000 jobs are created. These funds help our local areas thrive and promote strong business development."

"For example, these funds have been used to build intermodal centers in our communities that serve as hubs to connect our transportation modes including local commuter rail, Amtrak, bus and light rail systems," said Mayor Barr.

Explaining why this coalition formed, Mayor Barr noted "it is because of this important connection between the stability of our economy and the strategic investment in transportation that our respective interest have formed this new coalition."

"Members of the Local Officials for Transportation coalition know what needs to be done, because we are closest to the problems," said Dallas Council Member Sandy Greyson representing the National League of Cities. "Local officials are responsible for providing an effective and efficient transportation network for our communities. Our citizens expect us to solve transportation problems, like congestion, and we look forward to working with Congress to enact the coalition recommendations which will give us the tools to do our job."

"The twin issues of safety and congestion are concerns that touch all communities in America," said Tarrant County, (TX), Commissioner Glen Whitely, speaking for the National Association of Counties. "While the 40 percent increase in funding in TEA-21 has generally improved the conditions of our transportation system, we need reforms in the federal program and more funding."

Building on the foundation of TEA-21, the coalition's goals include increasing funding for the federal transit and highway programs; protecting the strong gains of TEA-21, including firewalls; increasing the role of local officials in planning transportation projects and funding decisions by suballocating resources to the regional level; creating new approaches to combating congestion in metropolitan areas; and increasing safety.

The new coalition supports reforms that will allow local officials to make more decisions on how federal funds will be spent and to promote a better project delivery system that gets highway and transit projects approved and built more quickly.

Suballocation Of Resources and Decision Making

Mayor Barr highlighted a long held priority of the Conference and endorsed by the coalition of suballocation.

"Suballocation is the tool that gives mayors the resources and decision-making ability to direct transportation funds where they are most needed," said Mayor Barr. "In our communities we are facing persistent and growing transportation challenges that demonstrate the need for greater resources to be committed and spent locally."

Further noting why Mayors are calling for suballocation, Mayor Barr said, "yet the funding mechanisms in place in TEA-21 do not allow local areas to fully determine the flow of transportation dollars in our cities. Instead, the majority of the funds are given to the State Departments of Transportation whose focus is often on building more highways and roads, rather than investing in sound transportation options that reduce congestion."

Summarizing the coalition agenda, Mayor Barr noted "today, we offer solutions that address these challenges. Solutions that will not only provide the stimulus needed to strengthen our economy, and strengthen local investment in transportation growth."

The National Press Club press conference, other coalition partners included Alex Taft Executive Director of Association of Metropolitan Planning Organizations (AMPO); Richard Butler, Wilbraham, Mass. Planning Board for the National Association of Regional Councils (NARC); Peter King, Executive Director of American Public Works Association (APWA); Aliceann Wohlbruck, Executive Director of the National Association of Development Organizations (NADO); Bruce Roemer, Chief Admin. Officer, Montgomery, Co., Md. for the International City/County Management Association (ICMA); Tony Giancola, Executive Director of the National Association of County Engineers (NACE); National Association of City Transportation Officials (NACTO); and Costis Toregas, Executive Director of Public Technology, Incorporated (PTI).

For more information on the Conference of Mayors TEA-21 reauthorization priorities and priorities of this local government coalition go the Conference's website at http://www.usmayors.org.