MACo has submitted comments to the Maryland Department of Transportation (MDOT) expressing concerns about its proposed methodology for implementing a scoring model for major transportation projects. Specifically, MACo raised concerns about the provisions in the proposal which penalize counties for failing to support proposals made by municipalities. From the letter: If allowed to stand as currently proposed, a variety of potentially unintended outcomes could result. A county with a relatively small municipal population could see…

SB 307, the Administration bill to repeal the controversial transportation scorecard law passed last year, has passed out of the full Senate in an amended form. The final floor vote was unanimous, after discussions and additional amendments yesterday described the revised bill as a compromise acceptable to the Administration. The third reader bill, including all amendments is available online. MACo had testified on the original "repeal" bill urging the legislature to either repeal or refine…

The Budget and Taxation Committee has passed an amended version of the Administration's bill to repeal the controversial transportation scorecard law. The amended version would delay full implementation of the scoring process as a guide for project funding for two years, and empower a work group to study possible changes to the law. From coverage in the Baltimore Sun: The law, passed over Hogan's veto last year, requires officials to study local transportation projects, rank…