On January 25, 2023, Associate Policy Director Dominic Butchko submitted testimony to the Senate Budget and Taxation Committee in support of SB 0151 – Equitable and Inclusive Transit-Oriented Development Enhancement Act.
The bill’s cross-file, HB 0012, will be heard in the House Environment and Transportation Committee on February 2, 2023.
In establishing the Transit-Oriented Development Capital Grant and the Revolving Loan Fund, this bill would provide the Department of Transportation with the requisite resources and authority to help local jurisdictions looking to expand transit-oriented development. SB 0151 also delegates to qualifying localities the authority to use the funds as best fits their community needs. This preservation of local autonomy, combined with the myriad opportunities attendant to transit-oriented development, represents a tremendous opportunity for counties to grow their economies.
From the MACo Testimony:
The Transit-Oriented Development Capital Grant and Revolving Loan Fund helps incentivize county governments to foster and maintain communities that can accommodate more density and have lesser reliance on car ownership. The provisions enabling county partnerships with the nonprofit
sector serve as a force multiplier – allowing for additional effectiveness of public investment. Overall, this program incentivizes counties to encourage growth while preserving local autonomy to shape communities.
More on MACo’s Advocacy:
Learn more about MACo’s 2023 Legislative Initiatives
Read more General Assembly News on MACo’s Conduit Street blog
