Interfacing with the State and Local levels on transportation funding
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Transcript of Interfacing with the State and Local levels on transportation funding
Federal Funding Streams
What are we working with at the state and local levels?
Federal Funding Basics
Federal Fuel Taxes
Heavy Vehicle Taxes
Tire Tax
Congress
Title 23 - Highway Title 49 - Transit
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).
49 USC Chapter 53 governs transit
Planning and operations standards
Specific programs and funding
Formula funding
Funding – Title 49
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
• 49 USC 5307 – Urban Formula Funding– Formula funds for systems operating in areas with a
population greater than 200K– 80/20 federal share (adjust for federal lands)– Annual appropriation– Capital costs only
Funding– Title 49
• 49 USC 5340 – Growing and High Density
– Additional funding for areas meeting any of six performance characteristics
– Funding attached with 5307 funding
Funding– Title 49
Where does the Formula $$$ go?
STIC1%Rural
9%
Urban Rail30%
Large Urban Bus39%
Small Urban Bus15%
Incentive Tier6%
• 49 USC 5311 – Formula grants for other than urbanized areas
– Formula funding for areas less than 200K
– Capital plus some eligible operating expenses
– Some set-asides for intercity bus, tribal transportation, and technical assistance
– % share changes based on project
Funding– Title 49
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
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
• Other programs that may be mentioned– 5310 Elderly & Disabled
– 5317 New Freedoms (disabled)
– 5316 JARC• More strings than other funding sources• 50/50 Operating, 80/20 Capital only
Funding – Title 49
• Certain highway funds can be “flexed” to cover projects defined as transit– National Highway System (NHS)– Surface Transportation Program (STP)– Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality Program (CMAQ)
Funding– Title 23
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)
• National Highway System– May be flexed to transit projects meeting program criteria
(improvements or maintenance on interstates)– Most applicable option: major reconstruction project
mitigation
Funding– Title 23
• Surface Transportation Program (STP)– Discretionary on part of recipient as to type of project– Any project meeting FTA criteria is eligible
Funding– Title 23
• Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality Program (CMAQ)– Funding focused on areas not meeting air quality
standards– Most frequently used funding source for TDM projects– Depending on the project, may have a time limit on use
Funding– Title 23
• Note: States may choose to move NHS and other highway funds into the STP program, and then use those funds for transit projects
Funding– Title 23
So how is this money then spent?
• It all depends on who is receiving it and what the plan says…
Funding & Planning Overview
• Funding is split by formula between states and metropolitan regions
– State funding to DOTs– Metropolitan funding goes to Metropolitan Planning
Organizations (MPOs)
Planning Overview
• Metropolitan Planning Organizations (MPOs)– Must be designated by the state to cover major metros– 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
• State DOTs– Generally have their own planning section responsible for
the state TIP– Frequently generic, project selection is often done through
the state legislature off of a project selection list provided by the DOT
Planning Overview
• So how do we interact with the TIP/STIP?– Have the most recent document with project lists on hand– Research who the project selection committee is and
what their process is– Pay attention to the meeting notices
Planning Overview
• Note:– TIPs/STIPs only cover highway and discretionary transit
projects– 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 intent
Planning Overview
• Know the state DOT structure• Know the transit agencies• Know who the MPOs are• Be willing to work in multiple formats
So where do I start?
State & Local Communication
How do I take what I know and make it work for me?
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
Session Calendars
State Legislative Process is more involved
Idea Formed Author Writes Bill
First Reading or
Introduction
Committee Hearings
Second and Third
Readings
Repeat Process in the other
House
Resolution of Differences
Governor’s Signature
State Legislative Process is more involved
Idea Formed Author Writes Bill
First Reading or
Introduction
Committee Hearings
Second and Third
Readings
Repeat Process in the other
House
Resolution of Differences
Governor’s Signature
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
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
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
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
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
Beyond the basics
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
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
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
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
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