by Representative Jim Whorton
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by Representative Jim Whorton
Transportation issues have been among those that cause the greatest concern with many of us in rural Missouri. Probably the most significant issue has been the manner that MoDOT monies have been distributed throughout the state. Many of us have taken a position that additional money needs to be directed to road maintenance and/or construction; however, we are reluctant to add revenues without increased confidence in the spending programs. A lot of you who know me well, have probably heard me repeat an old adage “be careful what you ask for, because you might get it” – well we have gotten it!
A new proposal has been recently developed and is under review by the Legislature that would create a new policy for allocating transportation funds in Missouri. It has been developed by a work group of the regional planning council directors, under the auspices of the Missouri Association of Councils of Government. Our existing policy has evolved over a period of years and continues to change in response to various public pressures that result in short term decisions. The new proposal not only offers a new formula for distribution, it does create an opportunity for a new decision making process that involves local county and community leadership in transportation decisions. That cooperation between local leaders and MoDOT should result in a better use of limited resources as well as increase our confidence in any statewide program.
The proposed system is contingent on the development of additional funding sources because the present level of funding does not adequately provide for future needs. This is a work in progress and the details are subject to major changes, but I’ll share with you some of the basic concepts.
The first steps would require the subtracting of certain costs such as administrative funding for MoDOT, Missouri Highway Patrol, etc., from the total revenues available from state and Federal sources. Further, there would be set asides for mandated Federal programs and other suballocations. Also, normal maintenance costs might be identified and removed for district distributions before splitting the balance of funds according to the new formula.
This proposal has suggested allocation of the remaining funds as follows:
Allocating 20% for interstate highways, interregional and high cost projects, with the remaining 80% going to all regions for local Highway projects within the state system. The 80% would be split with 20% into each of four categories based on 1) population, 2) employment, 3) vehicle miles traveled, and 4) area of bridge surface. Each of these categories would be measured/estimated at the county level and were thought to represent indicators of contribution to and need for highways and bridges across the state.
Current plans are for local involvement to be through the respective Regional Planning Commissions. In our area, the Green Hills Regional Planning Commission has county and community leaders representing the eleven county area. The proposal does create an opportunity for local involvement in the decision process and is an attempt at making monetary distribution on criteria that are open and above board. There are those that would say it is fair. My viewpoint is–we still need additional consideration for the expansive needs of rural Missouri. Based on the above criteria our Green Hills Regional share would be 2.65% of the 80% pool of state funding. We are about average for the Regional Commissions, excluding the East-West Gateway (St. Louis area) which has 31.87%; Mid-America (Kansas City are) 18.2% and Southwest Missouri (Springfield-Branson) at 8.33%. If we had a new funding program that provided $500,000,000 to a road fund, this proposal would allocate 20% ($100,000,000) for large projects with statewide need, such as the interstate system. Our share of the remaining $400,000,000 at 2.65% would be $10,600,000 to address projects in the eleven county Green Hills Region. I will continue to share new developments on this issue as it moves forward.