As has been posted previously, a bill is currently moving through U.S. Senate committees that would put in place a new 2 year transportation funding authorization.
One of the provisions to watch as the debate moves forward could negatively impact Metropolitan Planning Organizations (MPOs) that serve less than 200,000 people. Specifically, the bill as currently written would allow for the elimination of such MPOs unless they meet some minimum requirements established by a regulation to be determined by the Secretary of Transportation. Such "minimum requirements" have yet to be spelled out, thus the concern.
Michigan has many MPO's that serve less than 200,000 and two-thirds of the 384 MPOs across the country represent areas of less than 200,000 people. Often times, it is these local agencies that understand the transportation needs of the region they serve and act as a buffer between communities and state departments of transportation, ensuring priorities at the local level are served first.
The logic for having such a provision is to ensure greater accountability and that affected MPOs will have four years to fulfill the requirements.
The League will be working with our local, state and national partners in transportation to ensure that communities and regions of all sizes are served in any new transportation bill.
Arnold Weinfeld is Director of Strategic Initiatives and Federal Affairs for the Michigan Municipal League. He can be reached at 517-908-0304 or by e-mail.
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