Federal Transportation Update and Outlook
Arizona Rural Transportation Summit January 8, 2015
National Association of Development Organizations
National association for 540 regional development organizations, including emerging network of Rural Transportation Planning Organizations (RTPOs)
Promote policies that strengthen local governments, communities, and economies through the regional strategies, coordination efforts, and program expertise of the nation’s regional development organizations
National Association of Development Organizations
Advocate for priorities before Congress, the administration, and federal agencies
Develop training and resources related to: Rural/small metro transportation planning
Small business finance
Economic development planning
Regional resilience
Developing quality of place
Presentation Overview
2014 Midterm Election Impacts
114th Congress: Surface Transportation Reauthorization Outlook
MAP-21 Implementation Update
RTPOs: State of the Practice
OVERVIEW: U.S. SENATE
U.S. Senate: The New Numbers
Old Senate
Democrats: 55 *
Republicans: 45
*Includes 2 Independents
New Senate
Democrats: 46*
Republicans: 54
*Includes 2
Independents
OVERVIEW: U.S. SENATE
U.S. House: The New Numbers
Old House
Republicans: 233
Democrats: 199
Vacant: 3
New House
Republicans: 246
Democrats: 188
Vacant: 1
Magic Number = 218
Key Dates for 2015
January: State of the Union Address
February: President’s Budget Released
March/April: Budget Resolutions and Budget Reconciliations
March (with possible extension): Debt Ceiling Increase
May 31st: MAP-21 Extension and Funding Expire
June/July: Congressional Appropriations Action (Don’t forget sequester returns)
Committee Leadership
Changes
Senate Environment and Public Works Committee: Chairman James Inhofe (R-OK)
Senate Finance Committee: Chairman Orrin Hatch (R-UT)
House Ways and Means Committee: Chairman Paul Ryan (R-WI)
House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee: Ranking Member Peter DeFazio (D-OR)
House Transportation-HUD Appropriations Subcommittee: Chairman Mario Diaz-Balart (R-FL); New Ranking Member TBD
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114th Congressional
Outlook
Action on Highway Trust Fund (HTF) required by end of May; House and Senate Committee leaders express desire to move a bill in early spring
Interest in a 4 to 6 year bill
Will authorization bill be constrained to “flat funding plus inflation”?
Corporate tax reform as a vehicle for increased spending
Key policy areas: local input, freight/goods movement, MAP-21 implementation issues
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114th Congressional
Outlook
Federal Aviation Administration Reauthorization Required by September 30, 2015
Passenger Rail Reauthorization Expired September 30, 2014
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MAP-21 Implementation
Final rule drafting on safety performance measures proposed rulemaking to begin soon
Pavement and bridge performance measures proposed rulemaking issued January 5; comment period closes April 6
Upcoming proposed rulemakings: system performance, freight movement, and CMAQ; transit
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MAP-21 Provisions on
RTPOs
RTPOs recognized in federal statute for the first time
New emphasis on nonmetropolitan planning
Nonmetropolitan official participation on long range state transportation plan elevated from consultation to cooperation
Structure: policy committee, fiscal agent
Basic regional planning, technical assistance duties outlined
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NPRM on Statewide and
Nonmetropolitan Planning
Issued June 2 jointly by FHWA and FTA
Implements requirements under MAP-21; includes list of RTPO duties
Last planning rule with impacts on nonmetropolitan planning was in 2008
Final rule will shape the direction of the federally-required consultation process for years to come
Comment period closed October 2
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NPRM on Statewide and
Nonmetropolitan Planning
States have the option of establishing and designating RTPOs to enhance statewide planning
Authority to establish and designate an RTPO resides with a state’s Governor or Governor’s designee
States without RTPOs shall cooperate with the affected nonmetropolitan officials
• States with some kind of regional transportation planning effort statewide (listed roughly east to west in the U.S.):
• Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont, Massachusetts, Connecticut, Pennsylvania, Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Alabama, Georgia, Tennessee, Kentucky, Indiana, Michigan, Wisconsin, Minnesota, Iowa, Missouri, Colorado, New Mexico, Arizona, California, Oregon, Washington
• States with pilot, voluntary, or other regional transportation planning model (listed roughly east to west in the U.S.):
• New York, Florida, Ohio, Illinois, Oklahoma, Texas, Utah
Typical RTPO Tasksfff
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Ohio RTPO Pilot Project
2-year pilot program began in July 2013
Five multi-county planning organizations that cover 34 nonmetropolitan counties
RTPOs paired with an MPO mentor
Goal is to formalize and strengthen the rural consultation and transportation planning processes
Each RTPO required to complete a public participation plan and a comprehensive transportation plan
QUESTIONS
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