)MACo Legal and Policy Counsel Les Knapp discussed transportation issues at the 2013 Western Maryland Local Government Exchange on May 10.

As part of his presentation, Mr. Knapp discussed major transportation legislation that passed during the 2013 Session.  He also stressed challenges that rural transportation faces, including a lack of State funding, the need for a better rural Smart Growth model, growth limitations and additional project costs from the State’s proposed Accounting for Growth policy, and potential Vehicle Miles Traveled goals and air pollution offsets under the State’s draft Greenhouse Gas Reduction Act plan.

Mr. Knapp also presented on a second panel that outlined other highlights of the 2013 Session.  Other Exchange sessions focused on economic development, infrastructure and government services, land use regulations, and the sustainable transformation of the Appalachian region.