Polly Trottenbergy,m U.S. Under Secretary of Transportation Policy speaks at the 2013 MML Capital Conference.
By John LaMacchia
United States Deputy Secretary of Transportation John Porcari was scheduled to be the keynote speaker at our 2013 Capitol Conference Awards Luncheon. Due to President Obama's decision to release his budget on the same day their was a last minute change of plans and he was unable to attend. We were very fortunate that Polly Trottenberg, United States Under Secretary of Transportation for Policy, was able to attend in his place and provided a very informative presentation on federal transportation initiatives and their role in Michigan.
As a result of President Obama's budget being released on the same day as her presentation, she was able to give specific details about his plan. He is going to be moving forward with his "Fix it First Model", and will be asking for $50 billion in upfront money to jump start his vision for improving infrastructure across America and creating a 21st century transportation system. The President is proposing that $10 billion of that $50 billion be specifically concentration on local efforts and is committed to working with individual communities to integrate this investment.
Ms. Trottenberg drew a very direct correlation between the the long-term sustainability of the Federal Highway Trust Fund and decreasing revenue for road funding in Michigan. Much like Michigan, the Federal Government has not seen an increase in the federal gas tax rate in many years. This has resulted in less dollars available as more fuel efficient vehicles take to the road and the number of vehicle miles traveled decreases. Even with these problems, she highlighted the importance of needed investment to build a complete transportation system.
Other exciting news included a $40 Billion commitment by the President to the rail system in the United States. This includes $6.4 Billion to intercity rail systems. Ms. Trottenberg highlighted how the State of Michigan has made great strides in the City of Detroit with the M1 Rail project and the recent passage of the Regional Transit Authority. She also mention that a 5th round of TIGER Grants will be made available by the Federal Government and encouraged the State of Michigan to continue to look for innovative ways to use those funds.
Ms. Trottenberg's presentation was one of hope and optimism. The commitment by the Obama administration to our local communities was well received by our member and she was rewarded with a enthusiastic applause upon conclusion of her presentation.
Following her keynote address, Ms. Trottenberg was kind enough to participate in a press conference with Executive Director of the League Dan Gilmartin, League President David Lossing, Utica Mayor Jacqueline Noonan, and State Senator Roger Kahn. She described how investing in transportation is key to our nations economic success, and to Michigan's economic success. Executive Director Gilmartin, League President Lossing, and Mayor Noonan, highlighted the need for Michigan to move its transportation system out out the 20th Century and into the 21st Century. Legislative inaction on this issue is no longer and option. New revenue for road is needed in this state and those new dollars need to be spent in our local communities building great place were people want to live, work, and play. Senator Kahn, who has been a great leader on the issue of increasing road funding in Michigan, highlighted the benefits of saving lives, creating jobs, and saving money, as a result of investing in infrastructure.
The Michigan Municipal League was honored to have Ms. Trottenberg participate in our Capital Conference this year. We are very please with the encouraging message she delivered about President Obama's commitment to the nations transportation system, and the recognition of Michigan's critical role in that system.
John LaMacchia is a Legislative Associate for the League handling transportation issues. He can be reached at jlamacchia@mml.org or 517-908-0303
.
Senator Roger Kahn and Mike Nystrom of MI-TA will talk transportation at the Michigan Municipal League's 2013 Capital Conference.
LANSING, Michigan - Several experts on Michigan's transportation situation willl participate in the "Getting Tough on Transportation" education session at the Michigan Municipal League's 2013 Capital Conference April 10.
Farmington Hills City Manager Steve Brock, a member of the Michigan Municipal League Board of Trustees, will moderate the session featuring Bill Hamilton, analyst for the House Fiscal Agency; Sen. Roger Kahn, R-Saginaw, and Senate Appropriations Chair; Mike Nystrom, executive vice president of the Michigan Infrastructure and Transportation Association; and Rep. Wayne Schmidt, R-Traverse City and chair of the House transportation committee.
This is a very timely education session, because transportation funding continues to be at the top of the Michigan Municipal League’s legislative priority list for 2013. The discussion will focus on options for transportation funding, multi-modal transportation, and the importance of transportation in placemaking.
View the full Capital Conference agenda and register here. Also speaking at this year's Conference are Governor Rick Snyder, Michigan Budget Director John Nixon, Mitch Bean and Eric Lupher; and John Porcari, U.S. Deputy Secretary of Transportation. View all the speakers.
Matt Bach is director of media relations for the Michigan Municipal League. He can be reached at mbach@mml.org and (734) 669-6317.
LANSING, Michigan - Get on the inside track of Michigan’s transportation future, and learn what’s ahead and how it could impact your Michigan community during the Michigan Municipal League's 2012 Capital Conference, March 20-21, 2012. This year's Conference will include a session about the state's transportation future, including the latest updates on where transportation legislation is headed in 2012 from Senator Tom Casperson, Chair of the Senate Transportation Committee, and Representative Paul Opsommer, Chair of the House Transportation Committee.
Troy Chamber of Commerce President Michele Hodges will talk about what transportation means to the business community. Let’s Save Michigan advocate Sarah Szurpicki will offer insights on why transportation is so vital to Michigan’s future. Session moderator will be Linden Mayor David Lossing, vice president of the Michigan Municipal League Board of Trustees. General Session, titled Taking the Inside Track on Transportation is 1:45-2:45 pm Wednesday, March 21.
Casperson served in the Michigan House of Representatives for six years, from 2002 to 2008. In 2010, he was elected to the Michigan Senate, making him the first Republican to represent the 38th Senate District. The 38th District serves 13 of the Upper Peninsula's 15 counties, making it bigger geographically than 9 states. He serves as chair of the Transportation Committee and the Natural Resources, Environment and Great Lakes Committee.
Read additional posts about the 2012 Capital Conference here:
- How Green is Your Government? Find out at Capital Conference
- Peter Anastor to Talk Brownfield Tax Credits at Michigan Municipal League Conference
- Lt. Gov. Brian Calley to Discuss Personal Property Tax at Capital Conference
- Michigan Municipal League Launches Mobile App for Capital Conference
- Oklahoma City Mayor Mick Cornett to Discuss Placemaking at Capital Conference
- Energy, Environment, Transportation Policy: What's Ahead? Find out at Capital Conference
- Capital Conference General Session To Have Transportation Focus
Matt Bach is director of communications for the Michigan Municipal League. He can be reached at mbach@mml.org and (734) 669-6317.
Energy, environment and transportation are some hot topics at the state and national level right now and the Michigan Municipal League has the latest information about these issues. Learn more during two highly topical sessions that will be featured at the Michigan Municipal League's 2012 Capital Conference, March 20-21 in Lansing.
Eye on the Environment: How Green is Our Government? Since taking office in January of 2011, Governor Rick Snyder has made sweeping changes designed to revitalize Michigan's economy. But how is Lansing supporting the burgeoning sectors of clean energy and green infrastructure? Join the conversation with some of the state's top experts including Michigan Environmental Council President Chris Kolb and Valerie Brader, Senior Policy Advisor for the Executive Office of Rick Snyder.
Transportation - Taking the Inside Track: Get on the inside track of Michigan's transportation future, and learn what's ahead and how it could impact your community. You'll hear the latest updates on where transportation legislation is headed in 2012 from Senator Tom Casperson, Chair of the Senate Transportation Committee; and Representative Paul Opsommer, Chair of the House Transportation Committee. Troy Chamber of Commerce President Michele Hodges will talk about what transportation means to the business community. Let's Save Michigan advocate Sarah Szurpicki will offer insights on why transportation is so vital to Michigan's future.
This is just a sampling of what you'll find at the 2012 Capital Conference. Click here to see the agenda and register for the Pre-Conference Sessions.
Click here to register by February 23 to save with the Early Bird discount!
Matt Bach is director of communications for the Michigan Municipal League. He can be reached at (734) 669-6317 or mbach@mml.org.
Nearly every seat was taken during this morning's League Capital Conference breakout session, "Economic Development Tools for the 21st Century," as local government leaders expressed passionate support for state tax credits for economic development. Community officials characterized brownfield and historic preservation credits as "make or break" for saving downtowns. Representative Wayne Schmidt (R-Traverse City), Chair of the House Commerce Committee, spoke with the group about his strong support for those state incentives. He expressed concern that the Governor's proposal to replace credits with grant would not provide sufficient support for redevelopment and revitalization projects in our commerce centers, but he did express an expectation that the Legislature will make some significant changes to the programs.
Michael McGee of Miller Canfield also provided an update on the possibilities created last year by the Legislature through the Next Michigan Development Act, Public Acts 273-277. It allows certain large cities and Public Act 7 intergovernmental entities to form a Next Michigan Development Corporation. Those Corporations, which must meet a number of conditions, will have access to crucial economic development incentives like Renaissance Zones, Public 198 tax abatements and tax-increment financing to encourage job development in businesses oriented towards shipping, supply chain logistics, multi-modal transportation and light manufacturing. Wayne and Washtenaw Counties and seven local governments already have taken advantage of this act to form the Detroit Region Aerotropolis.
Luke Forrest is Project Coordinator for the Center for 21st Century Communities. Contact him at 734-669-6323 or lforrest@mml.org.
