The Latest on MAP-21 Margo Pedroso, Deputy Director Safe Routes to School National Partnership
MAP-21 Overview MAP-21 Moving Ahead for Progress in the 21 st Century Signed into law July 6, 2012 Goes into effect October 1, 2012 Until then current law/funding in effect Lasts for two years States are receiving level funding for transportation overall Focus for today High-level summary of the law and latest implementation information For more details on how the law works, see: http://www.saferoutespartnership.org/national#map21resourcecenter Navigating MAP-21 PWPB sessions Tuesday 10:15am or Weds 1:45pm
Transportation Alternatives: A Summary Combines Rec Trails, SRTS and Transportation Enhancements: Adds new eligibilities (and deletes/tweaks some) Cuts funding from $1.2B in FY11 to $808M in FY13 Funding cuts by state vary from 18-52% Creates a new funding structure: Recreational Trails funds are set aside (unless Gov. opts out) Half of remaining is allocated by population Includes sub-allocation to large MPOs, who run competitions Rest competed by state for lower-population areas Remaining half is competed by state However. States can transfer non-population half out States also get more flexibility if they don t use funds States can also transfer funding into TA Some possibilities for expanded funding opportunities in HSIP, STP and CMAQ
Transportation Alternatives Sets up a new funding structure with complicated funding flow. State s TA allocation Minus: Recreational Trails (FY09 level) * unless Governor opts out Half of $: Population pot Distributed by population share MPOs w/population>200k Receive suballocated funds Must hold competition to award funds Remainder distributed by state-run competition Split between areas with population of 5-200k and below 5k Half of $**: Unrestricted pot Distributed by state through competition Variety of local entities eligible; state DOT not eligible ** Transferability: - State can transfer all of this pot to other transportation programs - State can also transfer up to 50% of other funds into TA
Safe Routes to School Issues: What Do We Know? Current Safe Routes to School Law (Sec. 1404) is preserved States can maintain their current SRTS application process under TA Infrastructure and non-infrastructure eligible (but no minimums) Existing SRTS funds can be spent under SRTS law SRTS coordinators likely not required but salaries can be paid from TA funds *NEW* Outstanding questions Federal match 80% or 100%? National Center for Safe Routes to School extended through January 2013; would like to see long-term contract Need more definition around new TA eligibility for safe routes for non-drivers inclusive of safe routes to bus stops and for high schools?
Next Steps for the National Partnership Federal guidance USDOT provides recommendations and interpretation of MAP-21 for states Will be critical to answering outstanding issues on Safe Routes to School and TA Partnering with America Bikes to work with USDOT on our questions and concerns Coordinator outreach Gathering intel from every state s SRTS coordinator Helping us understand status and options on table in each state State by state campaigns Working with Advocacy Advance (League of American Bicyclists and Alliance for Bicycling and Walking) State flexibility means we need to take the fight to each and every state
State Transportation Alternatives Campaigns Campaign Goals: Fully fund Transportation Alternatives: Don t opt out of Recreational Trails Don t transfer any funding out of TA Transfer funding into TA to correct the funding shortfall Fully staff Transportation Alternatives: Retain the Safe Routes to School coordinators and other bike/ped coordinators Fully implement Transportation Alternatives: Work with advocates to create a good process and get funding out the door Fully spend all existing funds: Nationally, states have $300M left in unused Safe Routes funds. They need to hold competitions this year to spend what s left Fully maximize other transportation funds for bike/ped: Make sure to use STP, HSIP, CMAQ for SRTS and bike/ped.
State Transportation Alternatives Campaigns Campaign structure Lead person has been identified for nearly all states (list at www.bit.ly/map21stateleads) State leads are responsible for: Gathering intel on the state DOT Adapting goals & strategy to suit the state Coordinating with advocates to press the DOT/ Governor (or other appropriate decision-maker) National team is providing support to the state leads: State campaign toolkit and sample materials Email group so leads can share successes and strategies Each state lead has a national contact Held national groups meeting last week to engage range of supporters in state campaigns Health, environment, local government, disability advocates, youth organizations, etc
Examples of State Campaigns & Intel California 130 groups signed onto letter to state DOT on campaign goals State considering using HSIP/STP $ to fund TE/SRTS at FY12 levels Campaign leads meeting with Caltrans, state legislature, Governor Deb Hubsmith and Laura Cohen (RTC) serving on DOT working group Illinois DOT informally agreed not to transfer funds out of TA Campaign leads meeting with large MPOs to discuss TA competitions Florida Letter-writing campaign to ask Governor not to opt-out of Recreational Trails Governor has opted out, but announced they will fully fund Rec Trails and SRTS On record with FDOT press release
Examples of State Campaigns & Intel Washington DOT considering using all TA funds by population, leaving all decisions to locals State lead asking DOT to continue state SRTS program, perhaps using other transportation funds North Carolina DOT partnering with Dept. of Health on active trans Working to set up network of 10 SRTS coordinators, each covering 10 counties, through DOT-DOH partnership Missouri Will hold competition this fall for all 2012 funds and half of 2013 TA funds SRTS will have dedicated $ plus eligibility in TA portion
What You Can Do Get involved in the state campaigns Find your state lead at www.bit.ly/map21stateleads Get in touch and offer your help with the campaign Loop other Safe Routes advocates in too Get your local leaders (mayors, school board, etc) involved in the campaigns too Share intel with margo@saferoutespartnership.org Invite policymakers to your Walk to School events this fall Support from local leaders is critical for sustainability, policy change, support for future funding applications Don t forget your MPO if you live in a large city Make sure they know about the state TA campaigns so they can get involved too
For More Information Visit our MAP-21 Resource Center at www.saferoutespartnership.org/national#map21resourcecenter All our MAP-21 updates, blogs and resources are posted there, including funding charts, links to state leads, and our positions. Questions or comments? Contact me at margo@saferoutespartnership.org Go to www.saferoutespartnership.org and sign up for our e- news!