Legislature(2011 - 2012)BUTROVICH 205
04/03/2012 01:00 PM Senate TRANSPORTATION
Audio | Topic |
---|---|
Start | |
Oversight Hearing: Southeast Transportation Plan | |
HB115 | |
HJR4 | |
Adjourn |
* first hearing in first committee of referral
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
+ | TELECONFERENCED | ||
+ | HB 115 | TELECONFERENCED | |
+ | HJR 4 | TELECONFERENCED | |
HJR 4-CONST. AM: TRANSPORTATION FUND 2:08:42 PM CHAIR KOOKESH [announced the consideration of HJR 4.] REPRESENTATIVE PEGGY WILSON, sponsor of HJR 4, introduced the bill. She that Alaska, like the rest of the country, is challenged with maintaining, upgrading, and creating new transportation infrastructure. There is a serious shortfall in funding for transportation which is intensified by new federal reauthorization bill. She voiced concern about losing up to 50 percent of federal funding. She related that in 2005, the United States was ranked number one in the world for transportation; currently it is not even in the top ten. She maintained that Alaska needs to shoulder more of the responsibility for funding transportation infrastructure. She suggested a simple but serious change to Alaska's constitution, HJR 4, which would dedicate the Alaska Infrastructure Transportation Fund (ATIF). She pointed out that the drafters of Alaska's Constitution were concerned with dedicated funds that might impair future legislatures from responding to evolving public needs. However, she noted that two dedicated transportation funds were grandfathered in, one for highways, and one for harbors and water facilities. She stated that HJR 4 would allow future legislatures to respond to current public needs and have the flexibility to define what user fees will be dedicated to the fund, what projects can be funded, and how the fund would be managed. She maintained that the state needs a reliable revenue stream, independent from the federal government. She listed a three-step process as to how the dedicated fund would be used in conjunction with current funding to improve transportation infrastructure. She spoke of her vision of how the proposed funding would be capitalized with $1 billion, with $100,000 million a year to be spent on state-funded projects. The money would come from 50 percent of the revenues collected from the previous fiscal year, plus a percent of market value of ATIF, making sure that not more than 7 percent is averaged over the last five years. The legislature would also continue to fund transportation as it is currently funded. 2:14:09 PM REPRESENTATIVE WILSON listed user fees that would be used toward ATIF: motor fuel tax, studded tire tax, license and registration fees, and vehicle rental tax. A panel would determine which projects would be funded. She stressed that state-funded programs would lead to quicker completion of projects, saving time and money. She noted letters of support for ATIF in members' packets. She concluded that the fund is needed in order to create and maintain a modern transportation system in Alaska. 2:16:41 PM SENATOR KOOKESH closed public testimony. SENATOR HUGGINS voiced concern about throwing money at projects the way funding is currently done. He appreciated the listing of the four elements of the plan and the savings in time and money. He testified in support of the resolution because the legislature determines the details of the funding. He suggested expending $200 billion to set up ATIF. 2:18:25 PM SENATOR KOOKESH recalled fighting for a constitutional amendment on subsistence. He said he supports constitutional amendments in general. SENATOR EGAN moved to report CSHJR 4(RLS) from committee with individual recommendations and the attached fiscal notes. There being no objection, CSHJR 4(RLS) was reported from Senate Transportation Standing Committee.
Document Name | Date/Time | Subjects |
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4-3-2012 Senate Transportation Comittee.pptx |
STRA 4/3/2012 1:00:00 PM |
DOT/AMHS/MTAB southeast plan overview |