National associations representing state and local governments met recently with the National Surface Transportation Policy and Revenue Study Commission to discuss policy and financing options for the future of the surface transportation system in the United States. The groups united to offer comments before the commission's submission of its recommendations to Congress, which are due December 2007.
The organizations include the National Governors Association (NGA), National Conference of State Legislatures (NCSL), National Association of Counties (NACo), The US Conference of Mayors (USCM), National League of Cities (NLC), Council of State Governments (CSG), and the International City/County Management Association (ICMA). Collectively, they represent the nation's state and local elected officials who own and operate virtually all of the nation's surface transportation infrastructure and systems. The elected officials are responsible for more than 97 percent of the 4 million mile highway and road network, all transit systems, and 98 percent of the nation's 586,000 bridges.
Leaders from the organizations stressed to the commission the importance of state and local roles in the future of the surface transportation system. Topics covered during the session included enhancing the local-state-federal partnership; encouraging innovative state and local transportation policy and finance; and explaining the complexities of state and local revenue and surface transportation finance.
State and local officials underscored their commitment to working collaboratively with federal officials to ensure a strong, viable and diverse surface transportation system that sustains Americans' quality of life, protects the environment and climate, and cements US competitiveness globally.