2. Federal Funding Basics Heavy Vehicle Taxes Federal Fuel Taxes Tire Tax Congress Title 23 - Highway Title 49 - Transit
3. Requirements Projects must be included in the approved Statewide Transportation Improvement Program (STIP) and, in Urbanized Areas (UZAs), the metropolitan transportation plan (Plan) and Transportation Improvement Program (TIP).
8. Federal Transit Administration (FTA) Section 5307 (MPOs) Large Urban Formula ($$$/Rev-Mile, NTD) Small Urban Formula ($$$/Rev-Mile, NTD) Section 5311 (State DOTs) Rural (A, B & C categories) Other Job Access & Reverse Commute
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10. Formula funds for systems operating in areas with a population greater than 200K
23. FTA Section 5311 Eligibility Areas not currently in UZA are eligible for Sec. 5311 funding, even if they are included in metro area planning boundary (which includes the air quality non-attainment boundary) Projects may include transportation TO and FROM urbanized areas Service area may include destinations ACROSS a state line
24. Category A Category B Category C – “Program Reserve” State may not assign more than 10% of Section 5311 program to Category C FTA Section 5311 Eligibility
35. Federal Highway Administration(FHWA) Funds May be Used for Highway or Transit Purposes National Highway System (NHS) Interstate Maintenance (IM) Surface Transportation Program (STP) Highway Bridge Replacement and Rehabilitation (HBRRP) Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality Improvement Program (CMAQ) Transportation, Community, and System Preservation Program (TCSP)
36.
37. May be flexed to transit projects meeting program criteria (improvements or maintenance on interstates)
53. Each has their own project selection process and involvement to meet federal criteria, end result is embodied in the Transportation Improvement Plan (TIP)Planning Overview
56. Frequently generic, project selection is often done through the state legislature off of a project selection list provided by the DOTPlanning Overview
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58. Have the most recent document with project lists on hand
59. Research who the project selection committee is and what their process is
63. Projects using formula funds (5307) are at the discretion of the receiving transit agency, therefore must find a transit improvement plan or transit development plan to determine agency intentPlanning Overview
67. Be willing to work in multiple formatsSo where do I start?
68. State & Local Communication How do I take what I know and make it work for me?
69. State Legislature To borrow a phrase: it’s similar but different Similarities: 2 chambers Regular schedule Process for passage involving both chambers and executive veto possibility Differences: Limited Schedules More bill procedure (i.e. leadership control of calendar) Less staff support
73. State DOT basics Responsible for all federal highway funds outside of designated metropolitan areas Level of responsibility within metropolitan areas varies based on state law and appropriations Responsible for all federal transit funds outside of designated metropolitan areas Constrained with JARC, New Freedoms to those projects contained within Consolidated Human Service Plans Must have a State Transportation Improvement Program (TIP) Although yearly program funds may be appropriated by Legislature first
74. State DOT basics Planning, Transit, and Finance are often completely separate groups Developing friends or internal advocates is key May delegate responsibilities on a regional basis Not enough to just know the folks at HQ State funding programs vary widely Take the time to educate yourself on the funding streams
75. MPO basics Designated by Governor to receive federal transportation funding, both highway and transit Best list currently available at www.ampo.org/directory/index.php Required to have a Metropolitan Transportation Improvement Program and a Consolidated Human Services Plan May have responsibilities that go well beyond transportation Long Range Planning Zoning and Land Use Water/Sewer
76. MPO basics Governance frequently done by some sort of city/county representation Current requirements for regular, formal citizen outreach often conducted through a committee Requirement of a transit technical committee No requirement for proportionate representation MPO TIP governs the use of transit funds Important point, as many MPOs simply follow the transit program for funding to the point of simply having one line item for transit monies
77. Communication basics remain the same Your method of communication depends on the message Volume ≠ Effectiveness Don’t assume they know you or your issue, even if you’ve met with them before Be specific Be a resource Be polite and patient, but do follow-up Don’t vilify the opposition
79. 1. Know who you are dealing with Each state DOT has an assigned person/group to deal with your issue (even Tennessee) Each MPO has someone assigned to the planning division to work with transit agencies and/or someone to manage the TIP process Know who these folks are and how they fit into the hierarchy of their organization
80. 2. You have a right to be at the meeting Frequent, open meetings offered at DOT level Planning Commission TIP input State Conferences MPO requirement for input from citizens and technical committees Public notice on meeting places and times
81. 3. The important part of the meeting isn’t the meeting Who is sitting around the table? What are the qualifications for being at the table? Are these people you already meet with regularly, or whose subordinates you already meet with? “make friends and influence people” If you can help someone do their job more effectively, they will make the time to listen to you
82. 4. Know as much or more than the folks you are dealing with Become a resource for them to help solve their problems Be consistent in your explanations of programs, funding, and barriers Note what is working, not just what isn’t working Know their issues as well as your own
83. 5. Don’t be afraid of the guys in the suits Government is simply a different business model Non-profit Public shareholders Job responsibilities, just like you Goals and objectives, just like you At the end of the day, is trying to get something done or a need met
Notas del editor
First Reading: A bill is introduced or read the first time when the bill number, the name of the author, and the descriptive title of the bill is read on the floor of the house. The bill is then sent to the Office of State Printing. No bill may be acted upon until 30 days has passed from the date of its introduction. Second and Third Readings: Bills passed by committees are read a second time on the floor in the house of origin and then assigned to third reading. Bill analyses are also prepared prior to third reading. When a bill is read the third time it is explained by the author, discussed by the Members and voted on by a roll call vote. Bills that require an appropriation or that take effect immediately, generally require 27 votes in the Senate and 54 votes in the Assembly to be passed. Other bills generally require 21 votes in the Senate and 41 votes in the Assembly. If a bill is defeated, the Member may seek reconsideration and another vote.
MPO will have a committee under various names– a quick search included Transportation Technical Committee (Birmingham), Transportation Planning Committee (Tucson), Partnership Technical Advisory Committee (Bay Area), Transit Technical Advisory Subcommittee (LA), Transportation Planning Board Technical Committee (DC), Transportation Planning Council (Miami), Transportation and Air Quality Committee (Atlanta), Regional Transportation Advisory Council (Boston), Regional Technical Advisory Committee (Jersey), Transportation Advisory Committee (Columbus and here in Vermont), Technical Advisory Committee (Houston), Surface Transportation Technical Committee (Arlington, TX). Frequently, there are also TDM sub-committees or task forces whose memberships are not filled.