With transportation funding needs looming this legislative session the committee appointed to advance a bill has developed a unique approach to begin moving toward a consensus product. The fourteen members of the committee have been divided into four distinct work groups, all charged with bringing recommendations back to the full committee by mid-March. The four work group subject areas include maintenance and preservation, congestion, multi-modal needs, and public transit/safety. Each of the committee co-chairs and vice-chairs are leading a different work group, and each is taking their work very seriously. The Monday and Wednesday evening meetings have been very well attended by stakeholders, with the biggest challenge continuing to be how to realistically fund the immense needs of the different segments of the state and local transportation system. It is expected to take the entirety of the session to reach consensus on a package that can garner the necessary super majority votes in each chamber.
Contributed by: Mike Eliason | AOC Transportation Policy Manager