MACo and the Maryland Municipal League (MML) will be advocating side-by-side again during the upcoming 2016 legislative session for the restoration of local highway user revenues. MACo’s Legislative Committee approved its slate of initiatives last week, which includes “Local Transportation Funding Restoration.” MML’s Legislative Committee is recommending the restoration of these funds as a priority to be approved by the Association’s membership during its fall conference later this month.

From MML’s eBulletin,

For the seventh year in a row, the Committee decided that advocating for the restoration of highway user revenues should be a top League priority. The Committee endorsed a commitment to work with the General Assembly and administration to restore these important transportation funds and to ensure predictable, stable funding into the future.

The restoration of these funds has also been a priority for MACo over the past several years. Below is the approved initiative description.

Local Transportation Funding Restoration – Restoring local Highway User Revenues (HUR) has been a MACo priority since the local share was slashed during recession-driven budgets. The former $555 million share has been drastically cut back to $167 million – with a mere $26 million to be shared among 23 county governments. The cumulative loss of local roadway investment has topped $2 billion – compromising roadway safety and betraying taxpayer expectations. With the recent expansion of transportation revenues and additional funds recently being allocated for roads and bridges, it is now time for local governments to again play a more significant role in the State’s transportation funding plan. MACo advocates for the restoration of local transportation funding.