Bill Hearing / Transportation and Public Works
Session Update: Transportation and Public Works

This post summarizes the status of various transportation and public works bills that MACo took a position on. Unauthorized Signs on Highway Rights-of-Way:  HB 289/SB 410 would authorize removal of improperly placed signs on highway rights-of-way by state or local authorities, and authorize a civil action to recover costs of their removal or disposal.  MACo supported the bill because it would assist in the beautification of public roadways and provide reasonable authority for state and local…

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April 7, 2011
Education / Employee Benefits and Relations / Parks and Recreation / State Budget and Fiscal Issues / Taxes and Revenues / Transportation and Public Works
Senate Budget Committee Approves Budget Plan: Rejects Pension Shift, Agrees To One-Time Funding for Local Roads

The Senate Budget and Taxation Committee approved its plan to modify the Governor's 2012 proposed budget, concurring with a large number of the actions taken by the House.  As a part of their plan, the Senate Committee concurred with the House to restore funding for education, rejected a Department of Legislative Services (DLS) recommendation to transfer 50 percent of teacher retirement expenses to the local boards of education, and concurred with a one-time payment of…

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March 25, 2011
Taxes and Revenues / Transportation and Public Works
Radio Show Focuses on “Crumbling Infrastructure”

Tuesday's edition of the Diane Rehm Show, available on a variety of public radio stations in the area, will discuss infrastructure funding -- prompted by the ongoing federal budget debate, cutbacks in state and local budgets, and the recent devastation in Japan. According to the show's website: The crisis in Japan is prompting new questions about long simmering issues here at home, and among them, our country’s deteriorating infrastructure. For years our bridges, dams, water…

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March 22, 2011
Bill Hearing / Taxes and Revenues / Transportation and Public Works
MACo Supports “Lock Box” for Transportation Funding and Restoration of Local Share

MACo offered support for HB 591 heard in the House Appropriations Committee on March 10.  This bill would constitutionally prohibit the transfer of revenue from the Transportation Trust Fund (TTF) to the State General Fund, requiring revenues to be used for their intended purpose, transportation.  HB 591 would also protect the local share of Highway User Revenues (HUR) by requiring that funds in the Gasoline and Motor Vehicle Revenue Account be distributed based on the…

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March 11, 2011
Bill Hearing / Taxes and Revenues / Transportation and Public Works
MACo Supports Bill to Constitutionally Prohibit Transfers to the General Fund

MACo offered support for HB 926 in the House Appropriations Committee with amendments offered by the sponsor to protect the local share of Highway User Revenues (HUR).   As introduced, the bill would constitutionally require funds that are dedicated for specific purposes to be used for that purpose and prohibit the transfer of these funds to the General Fund. This has become common practice to address budget shortfalls. With respect to HUR, the bill would establish…

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March 11, 2011
Bill Hearing / Transportation and Public Works
MACo Supports Street Lighting Legislation

MACo offered support for HB 905 in the House Economic Matters Committee, which would allow a local government to purchase street lighting equipment from an electric company either through an agreement with an electric company or through a condemnation proceeding.  The bill would also require an electric company to develop a tariff for street lighting when the equipment is owned by a local government and attached to the utility pole owned by a public service…

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March 10, 2011
County Budgets / State Budget and Fiscal Issues / Taxes and Revenues / Transportation and Public Works
Local Roads Remain Focus of Transportation Discussion

This weekend, the Baltimore Sun's "Getting There" blog (focusing on traffic and transportation issues) featured an item discussing local transportation funding woes, and the effects on road conditions. From the article: Under the state Constitution, the general fund must be balanced each year, but there is no requirement that the state maintain any minimum level of transportation spending. Thus, when the recession cut deeply into state revenues, local transportation funds proved to be an irresistible…

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February 28, 2011
Bill Hearing / Transportation and Public Works
MACo Supports Bill to Exempt Local Transportation Systems From Motor Carrier Permit

MACo submitted testimony to the Senate Finance Committee in support of SB402 with amendments.  The bill would exempt a public transportation system established under the public laws of a county government or municipal corporation from the motor carrier permit required for a passenger motor vehicle used in the transportation of person for hire. Permits are issued through the Public Service Commission (PSC). Under current law, the public transportation systems for Allegany, Frederick and Washington Counties…

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February 23, 2011
Bill Hearing / Transportation and Public Works
MACo Offers Amendments to Address Licensing Provision in Towing Legislation

MACo Associate Director Andrea Mansfield testified before the House Environmental Matters Committee in support of HB356 with amendments. HB 356 would implement the recommendations of the Task Force to Study Motor Vehicle Towing Practices MACo appreciated the opportunity to be represented on this Task Force and believes the statewide framework outlined in HB 356 will serve as an appropriate “floor” to protect citizens from unscrupulous practices. In its testimony, MACo expressed concerned with language on…

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February 22, 2011
Transportation and Public Works
MACo Supports Bill to Authorize Removal of Signs From Highway Rights-of-Way

MACo Associate Director Andrea Mansfield testified in support of HB 289 on Tuesday, February 15.  HB 289 would authorize removal of improperly placed signs on highway rights-of-way by state or local authorities, and authorize a civil action to recover costs of their removal or disposal.  Additionally, the legislation would provide sensible authority to the overseers of highway right-of-ways, to provide clear allowance for these necessary cleanup actions.  MACo urged the a favorable report from the …

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February 17, 2011
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