Committee Hearings Tues-Wed on MO's $8 billion transportation funding proposal

Individuals and groups have the opportunity to testify Tuesday and Wednesday, February 19th and 20th, on Missouri's proposed new $8 billion transportation funding plan.

For the first time ever, the proposal is to provide funding for Missouri transportation, not simply roads and highways.  Ninety percent of funds will go to MoDOT, 5% to cities, and 5% to counties. 

Complete Street
Complete Street

Each of those agencies will be able to use the funding for any and all transportation needs--including roads, highways, transit, rail, ports, airports, bicycling, and walking.

This could change everything for biking and walking in Missouri--because right now, essentially no state road funds can be used for bicycle or pedestrian projects.

Ensuring that bicycling & walking receives its fair share of the $8 billion will require citizen involvement at every level

The $8 billion, 10-year proposal has the potential to be a game-changer for biking and walking in Missouri, putting bicycling and walking on an equal basis with all other transportation modes.

But as the proposal moves forward, project and priority lists will be created by every city, every county, and every one of MoDOT's local planning partners across the state.

Many of those--such as MoDOT's local planning partners in rural parts of the state, the Regional Planning Commissions, may face a significant challenge, simply because in many cases, bicycle and pedestrian interests have not been represented in their boards and committees and regional transportation plans have not thoroughly evaluated the need for bicycle and pedestrian facilities in the region. 

Waiting for MoDOT by Zaskem on FlickR
Waiting for MoDOT by Zaskem on FlickR

MoDOT is already planning a series of Listening Sessions across the state, with the plan and project list to be announced in June 2013.

It will be essential for those of us who support bicycling and walking to be involved in these public outreach and prioritization processes at every level.

House & Senate Committee Hearings February 19th & 20th, 2013

Committee hearings have been scheduled on the proposal of a 1 cent sales tax for transportation funding, filed by Sen. Mike Kehoe and Rep. Dave Hinson. Each hearing is set for two hours on the following dates and times:

  • Tuesday, Feb. 19 at 12:00 pm in House Hearing Room 7
    Sen. Schatz (chair of the House Transportation Committee) has scheduled a full committee hearing on HJR 23, sponsored by Rep. Dave Hinson.
  • Wednesday, Feb. 20 at 8:00 am in Senate Hearing Room 1
    Sen. Kehoe (chair of the Senate Transportation Committee) has scheduled a full committee hearing on his bill, SJR 16. 
    Missouri Capitol
    Missouri Capitol

If you would like to attend and/or testify on the bills, please contact the offices of Rep. Dave Hinson (573) 751-0549, and/or Sen. Mike Kehoe (573) 751-2076.

Full text and details about the Transportation Funding Proposals can be found at these links::

https://house.mo.gov/billsummary.aspx?bill=HJR23&year=2013&code=R
http://www.senate.mo.gov/13info/BTS_Web/Bill.aspx?SessionType=R&BillID=17866209

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