NABERS: Wheres the Transportation Funding to be Found?

Seeking change & compromise in the midst of critical needs and political unrest

By Mary Scott Nabers

Texas Insider Report: AUSTIN Texas The collection of Toll Road Fees became such a contentious issue in Texas earlier this week that the Texas Department of Transportation announced the agency would waive $1.3 billion in late fees owed by motorists from 2007 until March 1 of 2018. That action occurred because the Texas Legislature mandated a new fee structure that caps annual late fees at $48. The charges were causing lots of chaos because motorists did not want to pay for using the tolled lanes and elected officials agreed to waive the charges.  Understandable perhaps… but where will the funding to maintain roadways be found? Eighty-three bridges in 16 counties in Mississippi were ordered closed last week. The governor said the bridges were unsafe for the traveling public" and that keeping them open would constitute an unnecessary risk to public safety." Thats shocking… but not nearly as shocking as the fact that state legislators allowed the legislative session to end without being able to agree on a way to fund critical bridges and roadways. One has to question how actions like this serve citizens and taxpayers.

Unfortunately however these scenarios are not uncommon. Throughout the U.S. elected officials seem unable to agree on important issues.

Transportation infrastructure impacts public safety economic viability and quality of life… but the political disagreements dont just stop with infrastructure issues.

Theres political disagreement about everything trade issues immigration public education health care climate change and designated bathroom facilities.

Elected officials must find ways to govern and practicality and sanity must prevail.

There are huge differences of opinions about funding infrastructure projects whether the need is related to water roads bridges airports ports or school facilities:

• Transportation officials want to use tolls to fund roads and bridges but citizens protest loudly.
• Motorists dont want increases in gas taxes and political activists are against availability payments.
• The public at large does not want to see officials sell off any public assets.

All of those concerns are legitimate… but where is the funding for infrastructure going to be found? In Seattle a plan is being developed to toll city roadways including the downtown area. If implemented the city will be the first in the U.S. to implement this form of system-wide tolling. This plan sounds ludicrous to citizens who do not understand the desperate need for revenue to maintain roadways. But where is the funding to be found? Last month Utahs State Legislature approved a bill to expand the states authority to collect tolls on any roadway not just new roads. The bill sponsor pointed out that the state has spent billions of dollars building and maintaining roads over the last 20 years and the state no longer has the funds to maintain these public assets. He says that some type of vehicle-miles-driven charge or tolling must be implemented.  Many are protesting… but few have suggestions of where to find the funding needed. Change is always disruptive and often it is painful.  But change is definitely coming to every city and state. Its time to look at alternative funding options and realize that each will require some change. There are also many ways for individuals from different political parties to resolve issues of great importance but that too will require change. Finding ways to compromise collaborate and make tough decisions for the greater good will put us all in a better place. Mary Scott Nabers is President & CEO of Strategic Partnerships Inc. Co-Founder of Gemini Global Group and author of Collaboration Nation How Public-Private Ventures Are Revolutionizing the Business of Government and Infrastructure Revolution- A Roadmap for Rebuilding America.