Think Regional/Act Local

At this time of year, I always reflect back on the activities of the past year and look forward to the challenges that are lurking in the coming months. 2010 was a year that included discussion on many important transportation issues in Southeast Michigan, but sadly ended with action on very few. New revenue to invest in our quickly deteriorating road and bridge system was not acted on by the legislature. Funding for transit improvements, the creation of a regional transit authority, and approval to move forward on a new bridge to Canada were discussed, but remain on the table for further discussion and potential movement in 2011. We were also hoping for a new federal transportation funding bill out of Washington, but all we got was a lump of coal in the form of a continuing resolution – and no new dollars.

Planning continued on several transit projects including the Ann Arbor- Detroit Commuter Rail project and the Woodward Light Rail project – including the private-sector-funded piece known as the M-1 Rail, but neither project is as far along as was hoped. All in all, it was a very disappointing year as far as addressing our most important transportation needs.

2011 will begin with these and other important issues to address. But Christmas is the season of hope and we all need to re-energize ourselves to come back in 2011 with new resolve to keep these important issues in the forefront and continue to find a positive resolution.

So, what do I want for Christmas this year?

1. A six-year federal transportation bill that provides twice the money that Michigan currently receives.
2. An increase in state fuel tax and other fees that will allow us to match all the federal dollars to be made available by the new bill.
3. A new Regional Transportation Authority for Southeast Michigan.
4. A new Ambassador Bridge and a new DRIC bridge.
5. Commuter rail from Ann Arbor-Detroit that connects to the new Woodward Light Rail.

For any of you who take the time to go back and read what I wanted for Christmas last year, you will see that it is exactly the same list!

Let’s hope that working together locally with new leadership in Washington and Lansing, we can get some of these important things done in the coming year and help with the economic recovery of our region and state.

Merry Christmas and hopes for a wonderful 2011 to all!

Well, we had the first big snow storm of the year this past week. Let’s review what we observed:

• People driving too fast – ending up in the ditch
• People driving too slow
• Normal 20-minute trips taking two hours
• Icy roads, despite the fact that everyone knew this was coming
• Trucks that could not make it up the smallest of grades – because of the ice

People – It is Winter in Michigan! For those of us who have lived here for a while, this should be nothing new! Let’s discuss some rules for winter driving:

1. Slow down!
2. Have a full tank of gas
3. Slow down! You are not going anywhere fast
4. Clean off your car, including your windows so you can see where you aren’t going
5. Slow down – especially if you have a four-wheel-drive vehicle
6. Leave early
7. Did I mention to Slow Down!

Despite all the sound bites to the contrary, road agencies did have all of their employees out and working on the roads – but many have fewer employees and older equipment to move the snow and when it is very cold, salt doesn’t work as well as it does at higher temperatures. What we experienced this week may well become the norm for winter snow removal for years to come.

Finally, if you don’t have to go to work or can work from home, pour another cup of coffee and sit back and relax. That is the best and the safest solution to winter driving yet!

Last Wednesday, the U.S. House of Representatives passed a year-long continuing resolution (CR) by a vote of 212-206. This CR would fund government-wide operations through FY2011, including an extension of the federal surface transportation program. This is both good news and bad news, assuming the U.S. Senate also approves it.

It is good news because:

• It provides funding for a year – no more three-month-at-a-time deadlines.
• Transportation agencies have some degree of certainty of the funding that will be available to them.
• It provides enough time to work through some difficult issues and allow for a long-term transportation funding proposal at the end of the one-year extension.
• It includes a nine-month extension of the current FAA authorization – this is the 17th extension of that expired authorization – 17th!

It is bad news because:

• While it includes $1 billion for high-speed rail improvements, this is $1.5 billion less than FY 2010.
• It includes $630 million in rescissions for previously authorized surface transportation projects – so we actually lose some dollars.
• It doesn’t include a $50 billion placeholder for President Obama’s “front-loaded” transportation authorization proposal – this proposal is D.E.A.D!

Let’s hope that this action, if approved by the Senate, will allow the new Congress to review the issues and find new ways of providing additional funding for needed projects. We are not making progress on this issue, just going around and around. One thing is for sure, nothing will get better by doing nothing!

President Obama’s bi-partisan deficit reduction commission is scheduled to vote on its final report on Friday, December 3, 2010. Many people are saying it is DOA because of some of the controversial recommendations contained in the report. One of the more interesting recommendations is an increase in the federal gas tax of 15 cents per gallon. The gas tax increase is proposed to be phased in from 2013-2015.

Now, this is a significant increase. The current federal gas tax is 18.4 cents per gallon – so it represents almost a doubling of the existing tax. While this could have a positive impact on highway and transit funding, I need to add a couple of words of caution here. First of all, each penny of gas tax will continue to yield fewer dollars in the future. This is because our public policy is to work to reduce our consumption of oil, so a traditional gas tax will provide fewer and fewer dollars over the long haul. If we do not find an agreed-upon procedure to tax hybrids and electric vehicles, the gains will be short-lived. This is why a tax that considers the number of miles driven has far more advantages and is a fairer tax in my opinion.

Well, I wouldn’t worry about this proposal too much. There are plenty more controversial recommendations and 14 of the 18 members of the committee have to vote to approve the package or it will never go anywhere. Not going to happen.

Back to the drawing board.