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Administration Bills to be heard this week:
HB 310
Unemployment Insurance for Part-time Workers
An emergency bill that would allow part-time workers to collect unemployment benefits when they lose their jobs
HB 317
Silver Alert
Would create a statewide system for notification of a missing adult who may have a cognitive impairment, like Alzheimer's
HB 306
Interstate Compact on Educational Opportunity for Military Children
Would permit Maryland to join 11 other states in the U.S. to transfer records, implement course sequencing and share other relevant information to allow a smooth transition for military children transferring between states
Greenhouse Gas Emissions Reduction Act
Would require the State to adopt a plan to reduce 2006 greenhouse gas emissions levels by 25% by the year 2020, require MDE to develop a Statewide greenhouse gas emissions inventory by 2011, and adopt the final reduction plan by Dec. 31, 2012
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E-ZPass Fee Increases
Effective Dates:
Truckers - May
Motorists - July
The following cost recovery actions by the MTA are expected to raise $60 million:
- Increase toll rates on three or more axle vehicles
- Overweight oversize Truck Permit charge of $25 and eliminate the Class 7 toll schedule
- Decrease the commuter plan duration from 60 to 45 days (cost of commuter plans to remain the same)
- Eliminate Bay Bridge shoppers discount and commuter discount program paper tickets
- Eliminate Traveler's ticket program at the Bay Bridge
- Implement a monthly administrative charge for E-ZPass customers to recover vendor costs
- Implement a charge for the notice of toll due for electronic tolls collected from vehicles without an authorized transponder
- Increase the E-ZPass violation charge | |
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Greetings!
Welcome to our latest 2009 General Assembly Weekly Update Newsletter, and thank you for your continued interest in my activities in Annapolis as your State Delegate.
This week we'll be taking an in-depth look at Maryland's Transportation issues - how we're trying to manage the transportation budget, how we're planning to use the money from the Reinvestment and Recovery Act on transportation, and some notable changes to E-ZPass fees.
Additionally, we've provided updates on key Administration Bills that are included in Governor O'Malley's legislative package for 2009.
We hope you find the following information helpful and we'll continue to keep you informed. As always, please feel free to contact me directly with your questions, ideas, and concerns. I look forward to hearing from you.
Sincerely,
Delegate Galen Clagett, District 3A
Frederick County, Maryland
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Transportation Overview:
Transportation in the state of Maryland is funded by the Transportation Trust Fund (TTF), an ongoing special fund that receives revenue from: 
The ongoing nature of transportation projects requires us to look at multi-year periods of transportation funding. The Maryland Department of Transportation issues annually a Consolidated Transportation Program (CTP), a 6 year plan to detail their capital budget spending within the TTF.
Transportation Funding Overview:
The previous administration significantly underfunded transportation, transferring $586 million out of TTF while operating costs continued to rise.
During the 2007 Special Session, the legislature made structural reforms to TTF funding formulas, including dedicating a portion of the sales tax to transportation; adding $2.1billion to the TTF from 2008-2013 for new construction projects and system preservation.
 During the 2008 legislative session, TTF's share of the sales tax was reduced due to a general fund shortfall and repeal of the computer services tax. This reduction, coupled with less than expected vehicle sales, reduced fuel consumption and weaker bond sales due to the global economic recession have resulted in transportation revenue write-downs totaling $442 million.
MDOT estimates that TTF revenues are down nearly $350 million a year, resulting in two rounds of cuts in September and January totaling $2.2 billion to the $8.5 billion FY09-FY14 CTP; essentially wiping out the $2.1 billion added in the 2007 Special Session. Another write down for the last quarter of FY09 transportation revenue is expected.
The proposed FY10 TTF budget is $3.7 billion. This is a  decrease of nearly $47 million from the FY09 TTF budget. The operating budget for MDOT increases only $11 million, not even enough to keep up with increases in fuel costs and personnel related costs. MDOT has already terminated 40 employees and reduced certain bus and MARC train service with the FY09 operating budget cuts. The PAYGO capital budget in the TTF takes a $77 million reduction for FY10.
FY10 Transportation Budget: $3.7 billion
Operating Budget 43%
PAYGO Capital Budget 39% Highway User Revenue 13%
Debt Service 4% Deductions to Other Agencies 1%
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How will the American Reinvestment and Recovery Act help Maryland transportation?
- The American Reinvestment and Recovery Act includes $610 million for Maryland's transportation system over the next two years. The Recovery Act funding allows MDOT to offset an estimated 25-30% of the $2.2 billion in cuts to the CTP.
- In the first phase of Recovery Package transportation spending announced by Governor O'Malley, MDOT will spend more than $360 million on shovel ready projects and intends to award all of these projects within 90 days - putting Marylanders to work almost immediately.
Phase One Highway Projects:
The highway projects are core system preservation efforts and are located across the state to create jobs and spread the stimulus to every corner of Maryland.
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New ADA compliant sidewalks
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Safety guardrails on highways
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Road resurfacing
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Bridge maintenance projects designed to improve and protect existing infrastructure
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Purchase of 100 hybrid buses, replacement buses for rural transit systems
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Multiple MARC station improvements
Phase I projects alone will support nearly 10,000 jobs
A Phase 2 transportation spending plan is expected in a few weeks and will include local projects that can be verified as federally eligible. MDOT is currently working to develop this list of projects. **In addition to the Recovery Act funding, MDOT intends to apply and compete for grants that could benefit the BWI Airport, The Port of Baltimore and our passenger rail system.
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Send your questions, feedback
and ideas directly to Delegate Clagett at:
Talk to Galen@yahoo.com
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