|
Directions |
|
Next Meeting
US 20 Corridor Association Meeting
Friday - November 13, 2009
10:00 am
Lohff Schuman Memorial Community Center
301 Lohff Schuman Drive
Holstein, Iowa 51025
From US 20, proceed north on US 59 into the city of Holstein, taking the first right (east) onto Kofmehl Drive. The Community Center will be on your right (south).
Agenda
1. Welcome
a. Comments from
hosts (City of Holstein)
b. Introductions
2. Approval September
2009 meeting minutes
3. Treasurer's report
4. Iowa DOT District 3
Engineer Tony
Lazarowicz
5. Legislative Update
6. Transportation Day at
the State Capital - January 27, 2010
7. Other business for the
good of the cause
8. Next Meeting:
January 8, 2010
9. Adjourn |
| Officers |
|
Shirley Phillips,
president
712-662-7383
712-830-6768 - cell
shirley@saccountyiowa.com
Bob Singer,
first vice president
515-570-2472 - cell
bobsinger@frontiernet.net
Mary Gross,
vice president
712-368-4898
712-210-3903 - cell
holstein@netllc.net
Steve Hoesel,
secretary
515-570-9484
hoesel@mchsi.com
Sharon Ann Irwin,
treasurer
712-273-5283
earlyia@ruralwaves.us | |
|
Budget Cut Does Not Impact DOT Operations and Construction
When Governor Chet Culver announced a 10 percent across the board budget cut for Iowa agencies and programs, it did not dramatically impact Department of Transportation operations and construction activities. Lee Wilkinson, operations and finance division director at DOT, said, "The DOT operations budget and construction program come primarily from the primary road fund and a portion of the operating budget comes from the road use tax fund. The 10 percent cut to all general fund agencies and programs did not impact our operating budget."
Wilkinson said just one DOT commercial airport program relies on the general fund so that $1.5 million program had to be reduced by $150,000. "That was the extent of the impact to the DOT," he observed.
Fears the across the board cuts ordered by Governor Culver would alter DOT construction programming, including development of four-lane US 20 in western Iowa, can be put to rest. However, transportation funding will continue to be a concern based on needs versus revenue.
When the Iowa Legislature enacted TIME 21, new funding mechanisms were implemented which increased revenue and gave the DOT the ability to continue increasing capacity while meeting ever growing maintenance needs of Iowa's aging transportation infrastructure.
The US 20 Association, along with other highway coalitions, have lobbied State Legislators to also consider raising the gas tax which has been stagnant for over 20 years while construction costs continue to increase dramatically. With the current recession and tough economic times in Iowa, prospects for the gas tax (more appropriately termed "user fee") increase are dim.
To continue to bring stakeholders in Iowa transportation issues together, the US 20 Association will plan another Transportation Day at the State Capitol during the 2010 legislative session. "We will again stress the need for maintaining and expanding our transportation infrastructure with legislators," remarked Shirley Phillips, president of the Association. "We recognize the challenges of the present economy, but we also understand this is an ongoing effort and want to maintain the momentum we have built over the past few years in this campaign for four-lane US 20. Transportation infrastructure supports our economic vitality in Iowa."
Phillips also said plans for Transportation Day 2010 will be on the agenda for the November 13 meeting of the US 20 Association. Members, supporters, and stakeholders are all invited to attend and participate in planning for this important event.
|
| Transportation Day at the Capitol on
January 27, 2010 |
|
Highway coalitions and associations from across Iowa will once again join forces and spend a day at the State Capitol. The second Transportation Day will be Wednesday, January 27, 2010.
The expected format will be the same as last year with all participants gathering at the Wallace Building for updates from experts in transportation funding issues and the legislative process. Following the briefing, the group will head to the Capitol to lobby legislators.
From 2 to 4:30 pm, Transportation Day will include a reception for lawmakers in the Capitol Cafeteria. This is a new addition for 2010 and initial thoughts are to include displays representing the various highway projects and communities along with the opportunity for presentations to legislators and aides.
Mark your calendars now for Transportation Day on January 27. It is vital for these highway groups to take a large contingent of grassroots activists to impress upon lawmakers the need to adequately fund transportation initiatives. |
|
|
|
Federal Highway Bill Forecast
SAFETEA-LU, the last federal highway bill, was extended through October 31, 2009, following its original September 30, 2009, expiration and is expected to be extended once again this fall. The Obama Administration and a key Senate Committee were both pushing for an 18 month extension. Prospects for a long-term extension appear dim as a six month continuation was floated by the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee. Events the week of October 26 now make this possibility seem nearly impossible as well.
Rep. James Oberstar (D Minnesota) chairs the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee and has been clear in his objection to a long-term extension all year. Oberstar's preference is for Congress to take up the legislation and put a new $500 billion highway bill in place by the end of 2009. While his Committee has worked on new language, time is too short for a new bill to be completed, debated, and pass both chambers before going to the President for a signature by the end of the calendar year.
According to several sources on Capitol Hill, the most likely scenario is for SAFETEA-LU, along with several other programs that would otherwise expire, to be part of another Continuing Resolution extending them until this December. Then details of a longer extension will be taken up before the anticipated mid-December expiration. Insiders believe a six month extension is the most likely outcome.
The US 20 Corridor Association will continue to monitor progress - or lack of progress - on development of a new multi-year federal highway bill.
| |
|
|
|
