TRUST 2011 Legislative Agenda (printer friendly version here)
The 2011 TRUST legislative agenda focuses on the state budget shortfall while simultaneously advocating for long term answers to ever expanding transportation funding needs.
1) Protect ODOT eight-year construction work plan: Ensuring state funding remains at a level where no planned projects are cut from the current eight-year road and bridge construction work plan. We were successful in 2010 in educating lawmakers that 2009 federal stimulus funding came with a commitment, signed by former Governor Henry, stating Oklahoma would not supplant nor decrease state spending by using stimulus dollars.
If Oklahoma does not maintain its planned level of transportation investment, the federal government will prevent Oklahoma from participating in the annual redistribution of unused federal road funds available from other states. Over the past four years, the redistribution process has provided Oklahoma with millions of additional dollars.
2) Raise the cap on ROADS Fund: In continuing the Legislature’s commitment to enhancing long term transportation investment, TRUST supports a continued increase to the ROADS Fund spending cap which has no immediate fiscal impact but does allow the Oklahoma Department of Transportation to expand project planning within its multi-year construction work plan.
3) Innovative funding support: During the 2010 legislative session, TRUST was successful in helping establish the Oklahoma Innovative Funding Task Force for Roads (OIFTF) and in 2011 we are serving on the panel. The mission of the OIFTF is to study alternative funding solutions such as vehicle miles traveled, enhanced user fees, public/private partnerships and expansion of the Oklahoma Turnpike Authority. In addition, the OIFTF will examine improved design and construction methods. As dialogue progresses and potential solutions gain momentum, TRUST will cultivate increased legislative support for creation of new transportation revenue sources.
4) Motor vehicle fees redirected to transportation: One of TRUST’s core principles is all transportation-generated revenues be used strictly for transportation. While the budget scenario makes 2011 an unlikely year to advance returning the remaining 30% of motor vehicle fees from general government to transportation/road spending, TRUST, nonetheless, will continue to advocate this concept as good public policy.
5) Support vehicle tag late fees funding transportation needs: During the 2010 legislative session and as a component of the FY-2011 budget agreement, the late fee for delinquent tag renewals, which was increased in 2009 from 25 cents per day to one dollar per day, was redirected to the general revenue fund for the second year via HB 2359 resulting in an approximate $15 million impact. The legislation calls for those fees to be returned to transportation in 2011. TRUST supports the current intent of the law.
6) Support renovation of Port of Entry/Weigh Stations: TRUST supports a bond to expedite the critical need for Ports of Entry completion in order to protect road and bridge quality from overweight freight traveling through Oklahoma, which will result in increased revenues from fines and fees resulting from increased monitoring of overweight commercial traffic. This will return the transportation user fee of the one cent fuel user fee from the L.U.S.T. fund to transportation needs to service the bond debt which allows for no revenue impact or increased taxes, while using transportation fees to support transportation needs.
7) Support timely reauthorization of federal surface transportation programs: TRUST supports congressional efforts in Washington, D.C. to permanently and adequately fund the Highway Trust Fund and efforts to permanently reverse Oklahoma’s status as a donor state. If reversal is achieved, Oklahoma would receive its full share of federal motor fuel fees.
8) Support Indian Reservation Roads Program: Each year tribal transportation partnerships across Oklahoma contribute more than $50 million annually to road and bridge construction. TRUST supports the current apportionment formula of IRRP funds and expansion of the IRRP program and tribal partnerships.