How does the new transportation bill draft measure up?
June 24, 2009By Stephen Lee Davis
| “A bill to transform Federal surface transportation to a performance-based framework to reduce fatalities and injuries on our Nation’s highways, address the mobility and access needs of people and goods, improve the condition, performance, and connectivity of the United States intermodal surface transportation system, provide transportation choices for commuters and travelers, promote environmental sustainability, public health, and the livability of communities, support robust investment in surface transportation, and for other purposes.” |
That’s how the new 775-page draft of the House Surface Transportation Authorization Act of 2009 opens up. Considering that this is federal legislation here — not literature — that’s a pretty lofty opening to guide the upcoming six-year transportation bill.
But does reality match the rhetoric in the 774 pages that follow?
| Read the official T4 America statement on the bill draft |
First, Chairman James Oberstar is to be commended for releasing a draft bill that goes beyond just reauthorizing a modified version of the existing transportation law (SAFETEA-LU). There are some real signs of change in this bill and transportation reform advocates across the board are encouraged by the overall language and direction of the bill. Compared with the opening paragraph of the last bill (Wait, there were no opening principles!), STAA is off to a great start.
While there are principles and vision in the introduction about performance, connectivity, environmental sustainability, public health, livability; reading the fine print in the legislation leaves unanswered questions and areas of concern — such as how funding will be allocated among programs. Most obvious, as others have pointed out, is the omission of dollar amounts for specific programs, formulas and sources of funding. A final verdict on this draft won’t be complete without knowing answers to the funding questions.
| “Having individual programs that work better is certainly a step in the right direction, but it is absolutely critical to be sure those programs work together towards achieving a set of national objectives.” |
| — James Corless, T4 America |
Once you dig into the fine print, it becomes clear that although individual programs are assigned certain goals and performance measures, there are no clear, cross-cutting, national performance targets for measuring the success or failure overall of such a massive investment.
Though Americans are overwhelmingly supportive of spending money on infrastructure and transportation — and can even get behind increased taxes to do so — that support generally comes with the caveat that they want to know we’re buying something useful, and not just spending twice as much money to do more of the same.
With a price tag between $450 billion and $500 billion for this transportation bill — almost twice the cost of the last bill — it’s more important than ever to have positive answers to some big-picture issues. That’s why we need to ask some critical questions about this legislation: If the bill got passed:
- Would more Americans have low-cost, convenient travel and living options?
- Would more Americans have easier access to jobs?
- Would older Americans have more options for aging in place and low-income households have more affordable transportation choices?
- Would fewer Americans die or be injured, whether while driving, walking, bicycling or taking transit?
- Would we be able to reduce emissions and cut energy use while still providing choices for getting from A to B?
- Would America be able to continue competing economically on the world stage?
Here is a quick look at some of the positive things in the bill, and some that need improvement or are sorely lacking. Keep in mind that these are in flux and can be improved with even small changes to language of the bill. The funding levels that are to be determined will also have a major impact in where these different issues ultimately stack up.
Continue reading below the fold to see a short breakdown of the good, the needs-improvement, and the missing elements.
(Continue Reading)
Transportation For America Applauds House Release Of National Transportation Objectives
June 11, 2009By Transportation for America
| CONTACT: Cosabeth Bullock 202-478-6128 cbullock@mrss.com |
For Immediate Release:
June 11, 2009
WASHINGTON, D.C. – More than 140 organizations have joined Transportation for America in signing a letter supporting the National Transportation Objectives Act of 2009 (HR 2427). The groups, representing a wide-breadth of interests, including health, equity, energy and the environment sectors, commend representatives Rush Holt (D-NJ), Russ Carnahan (D-MO) and Jay Inslee (D-WA) for introducing legislation that lays out a new vision for our nation’s transportation system.
The National Transportation Objectives Act of 2009 (HR 2724) sets the stage for the upcoming authorization bill by outlining achievable objectives for our largest program of infrastructure investments. It breaks new, and critically important, ground by setting performance measures that will help ensure we have a smart, safe and clean transportation system that provides real, affordable options for all Americans.
The bill highlights a growing call among legislators and the public for federal policy to address overarching concerns about the economy, energy, climate and health in all major pieces of legislation. Americans are unlikely to agree to spend more money on a transportation system that is delivering incoherent results. However, Americans may be persuaded to provide additional support to fulfill a vision tied to clear, measurable goals. Transportation for America, along with 140 organizations who signed a letter of support, including the American Association of Railroads, American Public Health Association and CEOs for Cities, back the bill’s recommendations, including goals to repair our nation’s roads and highways, reduce fatalities and injuries, eliminate exposure to unhealthy air, triple biking, walking and public transit use, and improve accessibility to transportation options for low-income, aging, and disabled populations.
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