By Ron Thaniel
April 6, 2009

Led by the U.S. Conference of Mayors Transportation and Communications Chair Denver Mayor John Hickenlooper, a delegation of mayors met with the U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT) Secretary Ray LaHood, White Office of Urban Affairs Director Adolfo Carrion, and Special Assistant to the President for Urban Affairs Derek Douglas to discuss the pending authorization of the federal surface transportation programs. With Hickenlooper were Conference of Mayors Vice President Seattle Mayor Greg Nickels, Conference of Mayors Second Vice President Burnsville Mayor Elizabeth Kautz, Past President Louisville Mayor Jerry E. Abramson, Stamford (CT) Mayor Dannel P. Malloy, San Diego Mayor Jerry Sanders, Des Moines (IA) Mayor Frank Cownie, Minneapolis Mayor R.T. Rybak, and Philadelphia Mayor Michael Nutter.

The meeting was particularly timely as LaHood shared specifics about the President’s priorities for the next surface transportation law, stating, “President Obama is a transformational President.”

Highlighting the $8 billion for high'speed rail in the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) as an example of President Obama’s transformation approach to federal transportation policy, an approach that the Conference of Mayors applauds, LaHood told the mayors, “The President wants to do things differently.”

“This reauthorization is about investments that we need to make as a nation—investments in the economy, in transportation infrastructure, and in the future,” said LaHood.

Referencing Washington’s powerful highway lobby, LaHood urged the mayors to talk with members of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee led by James L. Oberstar (MN), Chair, and John L. Mica (FL), Ranking Member. This is particularly important as reports are suggesting that the Committee will be marking up it’s version of the surface transportation legislation in late April with a timeframe of clearing it from Committee by the Memorial Day recess.

Responding to the Secretary’s remarks to President Obama’s transformation approach to federal transportation policy, Hickenlooper said, “The nation cannot deal with our energy and climate challenges, without confronting the transportation sector. This means going forward, all federally'assisted transportation investments must address energy and climate concerns, through needed shifts and reforms in federal policies and programs that emphasize sustainable transportation investments, led by increased investment in public transportation.”

Abramson said mayors are “prepared to work with Secretary LaHood on metropolism.” Malloy agreed, stating the next federal bill must have a metro approach. “Mayors drive the metro approach,” said Malloy. “Develop new policy to ensure increased federal funding commitments to transportation infrastructure in cities and their metropolitan areas,” said Cownie. Rybak urged Secretary LaHood to look at different approaches to get resources and decision'making to metropolitan areas, stating, “not one size fits all.”

“Cities can bring our counties and metropolitan areas together,” said Nutter. LaHood agreed, highlighting Conference of Mayors’ Past President Richard M. Daley as an example of mayors reaching out to the suburbs. Highlighting a successful metropolitan planning model, Sanders mentioned that every city has a voice with the San Diego Association of Governments (SANDAG).

While much of the discussion focused on strategies to increase federal transportation infrastructure investments, including decision'making, in cities and their metro areas, Nickels said that the next transportation bill should address greenhouse gas emissions and increase energy conservation and efficiency. Kautz noted the relationship between mayors and their business communities and the potential that creates for a power pro'metropolitan lobby. Kautz also mentioned that the next bill should include compact land use and transit'oriented development strategies.

Understanding the enormous transportation and infrastructure challenges facing cities and metropolitan areas, Carrion said that the President recognizes “that 80 percent of the population live in urban areas and mayors are on the frontlines.”

LaHood asked the mayors for additional suggestions on how to increase Federal transportation investments in metropolitan areas. LaHood also asked the mayors to provide suggestions on how to improve the metropolitan planning process. The delegation was invited back to provide their thoughts on these issues and others as the Secretary continues to develop the Administration’s principles.

The current federal surface transportation program, which was reauthorized by the Safe, Accountable, Flexible, Efficient Transportation Equity Act: A Legacy for Users (SAFETEA'LU) in 2005, is set to expire September 30 of this year.