For the 2013 Missouri Legislative Session, MPTA will be
focusing its efforts on several priorities:
- Support
MoDOT’s request for $5.5 million for transit operations – $560,875 for
State Transit Assistance (from State Transportation Fund); $2,500,000 for
expanded State Transit Assistance (from General Revenue); and $2,486,607 for
Missouri Elderly & Handicapped Transportation Assistance Program (from both
General Revenue and the State Transportation
Fund). These funds will be distributed by the allocation method included
in SB 173 that created new statute 226.195 RSMo. Currently, there are seven (7)
urbanized transit agencies and 26 rural public transit providers that receive
these funds.
In
Fiscal Year 2010 the transit appropriation from the state was $4.015 million,
which included $3.200 million in general revenue and $.814 million in state
transportation funds. The general assembly then passed a Fiscal Year 2011 budget
which included $3.601 million in transit funding. Of this amount, all general
revenue was withheld leaving $560,875 in state transportation funds. This
withhold became a permanent cut in the Fiscal Year 2012 and 2013 budget. This
has significantly limited what services we can provide and has resulted in
riders, already dealing with very limited resources, paying more of the cost of
their transportation. It is imperative that we reverse this trend. The new
appropriation of $2.5 million would move us in that direction.
- Ensure
inclusion of transit capital projects/public transit in any infrastructure bond
or funding package that could move forward at the state level. Public
transit needs to be a key component of Missouri’s infrastructure plans moving
forward.
- Support
legislation that expands the crime of assault of an on-duty public transit
employee to the same level of offense as the assault of a public safety
employee.
- Explore
new avenues for support for transit/Transit Oriented Development in Missouri.
As you may know, the Blue Ribbon Commission on
Transportation released its report this week. Bill McKenna reiterated it was
the intent of the Commission to determine the needs within the State and
discuss solutions. Over 800 individuals attended the various meetings held
around the Missouri with over 200 people providing testimony. Mr. McKenna
noted the following key points that emerged from the process: 1) We need
to take care of the existing infrastructure; 2) MoDOT is funded more like a
roads and bridges department rather than an all transportation mode department;
3) Safety continues to be increasingly important; and 4) There are hundreds of
unfunded projects in every area of the State.
Please email or write a letter to the Governor and your
state and locally elected officials pushing for state support of transit,
funding for transit, and expansion of our current system. Join us at upcoming
events at the Capital to talk personally with your representatives. The first
event will be January 29, when MPTA members and supporters are convening at the
Capitol to visit legislators as part of MPTA’s Transportation Day. Elected
officials must hear from you, as their constituents, that transit is important
to Missouri’s economy. Below is a flyer to use for reference points in your
letter and/or meetings. Also provided is a case statement for public
transportation for sharing or referencing in your correspondence and
conversations. You may also use MPTA’s letter to the Governor as a template for
a letter from you and/or your board.
2013 MPTA Legislative Priorities Reference Points
Please contact these key legislators in addition to your own
representatives and senators:
Representative Timothy Jones
MO Speaker of the House District 110
201 W Capitol Ave, Room 302A
Jefferson City, MO 65101
573-751-0562
Representative John Diehl
House Majority Floor Leader
MO House District 89
201 W Capitol Ave, Room 309
Jefferson City, MO 65101
573-751-1544
Representative Rick Stream
MO House of Representatives
201 West Capitol Avenue
Room 306
Jefferson City MO 65101
573-751-4069
Kurt Schaefer
Senate Appropriations Chairman
201 W Capitol Ave., Rm. 221
Jefferson City, Missouri 65101
(573) 751-3931
sweb@senate.mo.gov
Tom Dempsey
Senate President Pro Tem
201 W Capitol Ave., Rm. 326
Jefferson City, Missouri 65101
(573) 751-1141
Tom.Dempsey@senate.mo.gov
Senator Ron Richards
Senate Majority Floor Leader
201 W Capitol Ave., Rm. 321
Jefferson City, Missouri 65101
(573) 751-2173
sweb@senate.mo.gov