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MITA leads state transportation funding initiative
By Mike Nystrom
Vice President of Government and Public Relations,
Michigan Infrastructure & Transportation Association,
and Co-Chair, Michigan Transportation Team
Companies involved in the highway construction industry,
including Ajax Paving Industries, Inc., are aware
of two well-known problems: Michigan’s transportation
system is deteriorating and so is transportation funding.
The Michigan Infrastructure & Transportation Association
(MITA), of which Ajax is a member, is leading a statewide
coalition of businesses, labor, and industry groups (known as
the Michigan Transportation Team, or MTT) to find solutions
to these problems.
Everyone is aware of another problem: Gas prices are skyrocketing.
But few people realize that less and less money is going
into Michigan’s roads, bridges, and public transportation. No
matter what the price is at the pump, only 19 cents per gallon
makes its way into the Michigan Transportation Fund, and
that’s not enough to keep the potholes filled, the bridges safe,
and the buses rolling. And when gas prices rise, consumers
tend to drive less, which means even less money goes into the
transportation fund.
To help bridge the gap between transportation funding needs
and funding shortfalls, the MTT successfully lobbied Congress
in 2005 for increased federal transportation funding to
be returned to Michigan. MTT, under the direction of MITA,
boasts a membership of more than 40 groups and companies,
including the Michigan Chamber of Commerce, International
Union of Operating Engineers, Michigan Municipal League,
Michigan Manufacturers Association, County Road Association
of Michigan, and a number of chambers of commerce
across the state.
Having done what could be done in terms of federal funding
increases, MTT is now pushing for more state transportation
funding. But, before more state funding can be found, people
outside of the construction industry — the general public and
elected officials — need to be made aware of these transportation
funding problems. In order to launch this public and
legislative awareness campaign, last year MITA began
soliciting corporate contributions, which are now in
excess of $1.9 million.
The Drive MI Campaign
The state funding initiative, known as the Drive MI campaign,
began in earnest on May 1, 2006, with the official launch of
a Web site: www.drivemi.org. The site is updated daily with
information vital to the campaign — press releases, letters
to the editor, news articles, and reports, as well as facts and
figures. The site allows users to express their opinions on
road conditions in the “Speak Up” section.
In addition to the Web site, MTT is producing publications
that will educate the public and current legislators, plus
candidates for legislative and executive branch public offices.
These publications include a “Pennies Chart,” which breaks
down where the Michigan 19-cents-per-gallon state gasoline
tax goes and emphasizes that the tax is charged at a flat rate
— no matter what a gallon of gas costs, consumers pay only
19 cents. Michigan’s gas tax rate is unfortunately the second
lowest among neighboring states. Ohio (28 cents), Wisconsin
(30 cents), and Pennsylvania (32.3 cents) all come in higher.
Another publication, “Dollars in Motion,” highlights transportation’s
impact on the Michigan economy. For instance,
every $100 million in road construction creates 4,750 jobs in many areas, not just construction.
Michigan’s poor grades from a recent
report by the Transportation Road and
Information Program are displayed in
the “Transportation Facts” publication.
The bottom line in this publication
is that Michigan needs to increase its
spending by approximately $700 million
annually to repair roads and bridges,
relieve growing traffic congestion, and
strengthen economic development.
In the near future, the Drive MI campaign
will also produce radio drive-time
ads and billboards. The objective is
ultimately to create strong public pressure
on the issue of Michigan’s roads so
that it will be debated during this fall’s
elections, at which time all state public
elected officials will be running for
office.
Spurring a Funding Debate
By having this issue become a top
agenda item, it is hoped that a legislative
debate will ensue in early 2007, during
which time increases to the state transportation
funding mechanisms will be
discussed and debated.
What will that funding mechanism be?
Several ideas were suggested, but no
final decisions were made. Options that
are being looked at include local revenue
enhancements, sales tax amendments,
toll roads, increases in vehicle and registration
fees, and increases in state fuel
(gas and diesel) user fees.
No matter the ultimate solution to funding
the state’s transportation system,
rest assured that MITA, its members,
and the MTT are in it to find a sustainable
solution. We know from experience
that people immediately recognize the
poor quality of Michigan’s transportation
network. And we also know that
maintaining and enhancing our state’s
transportation infrastructure is a critical
factor that impacts the cost of doing business
for all Michigan job providers.
For more information about the state
transportation funding initiative, visit
www.drivemi.org.
This article is reprinted with permission
from MITA. |
