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Okaloosa League Reaches Concurrence on Transportation Positions

With the approval of the LWVF Board, all local Leagues were asked to consider concurring with a compilation of the Leagues of Orange and Seminole counties’ and the LWV Tallahassee transportation positions. CONCURRENCE is acceptance of another League’s consensus or affirmation of its position on a common program item. The Okaloosa League's Board discussed the concurrence proposal in November and December and called a general meeting on January 23rd to obtain membership concurrence. After discussion each question (see details below), members present concurred on the following positions:

• We support the concept of regional transportation authorities.
  
  
• We believe that state, counties, municipalities, regional authorities or combinations of all should work together to create a transportation system that serves the needs of all Floridians and protects the environment.
  
  
• Provisions should be made for adequate, ongoing financing for construction and maintenance, and operation of the multi-modal transportation systems listed above.
  
  
• Many funding options have been proposed. Local and regional governments should have the ability to choose which option(s) are best for their areas.

Thanks to all who participated in the concurrence discussions.

Concurrence Proposal: Foundation for Transportation Study

Background

The National League (LWVUS) Transportation Position grew out of “efforts on behalf of equal opportunity for employment and housing, and meeting basic needs. The 1971 Air Quality position added another dimension to this concern by urging measures to reduce vehicular pollution…and development of alternate transportation systems.”

The League of Women Voters of Florida (LWVF) presently does not have a position on mass transportation. When necessary, LWVF has advocated under the umbrella of the state’s comprehensive plan. LWVF believes that “…Florida has an infrastructure deficit and that the state service levels and quality of life are declining. Delegates to the 2009 LWVF Convention voted to support a statewide public transportation study along with this priority: “Support public transportation” to be included under “Sustainable Position.”

Prior to the start of the approved study, all local Leagues (with state Board approval) are being asked to consider concurring with the already existing positions of the LWV of Orange and Seminole Counties and the LWV of Tallahassee. It is extremely important that every League in Florida, whether rural, suburban or urban, give serious consideration to local transportation needs and to this concurrence proposal. The federal government is emphasizing and funding commuter and high speed rail and public transportation projects. Florida’s elected officials and decision makers are talking about such projects, and grassroots support, from organizations like the League will be very important in ensuring follow through.

If this concurrence is approved, state and local Leagues will be in a position to take action to support the transportation planning process. At Convention 2009, the support for public transportation became part of our program. We can complete the process by developing a position through concurrence on which we can all agree.

Concurrence Questions

Question 1. Concurrence on the need for Regional Transportation Authorities: We support the concept of regional transportation authorities.

Background: Currently, there are five Florida regional transportation authorities created pursuant to ch.343, F.S. They are: South Florida Regional Transportation Authority (Miami-Dade, Broward & Palm Beach Counties); Central Florida Regional Transportation Authority (Orange, Osceola & Seminole Counties); Tampa Bay Commuter Transit Authority (Sarasota, Manatee, Hillsborough, Pinellas, Polk, Citrus, Hernando & Pasco Counties); Northwest Florida Regional Transportation Corridor (Escambia, Santa Rosa, Walton, Okaloosa, Bay, Gulf, Franklin, & Wakulla Counties); and the Bay Area Regional Transportation Authority (Citrus, Hernando, Hillsborough, Manatee, Pasco, Pinellas and Sarasota Counties). There is one local transportation authority, the Jacksonville Transportation Authority. These authorities have various membership structures powers and duties. The authorities are empowered to construct, finance, and manage a variety of mass transit options as an integrated system. They have numerous statutory powers and responsibilities, including the power to acquire, sell, and lease property; to exercise the power of eminent domain; to enter into purchasing agreements and other contracts, to enforce collection of system rates, fees, and other charges; and to approve revenue bonds issued on its behalf by the State Division of Bond Finance. As part of their study, the Orange County League included the subject of a transportation authority.

Question 2. Concurrence on the Need for a comprehensive, integrated and multi-modal system of transportation that will provide an effective system of Public Transit (including but not limited to buses, commuter and light rail, trolley), sidewalks and bikeways: We believe that state, counties, municipalities, regional authorities or combinations of all should work together to create a transportation system that serves the needs of all Floridians and protects the environment.

Background: Beginning with the LWVUS position on transportation which is: “action to promote energy efficient and environmentally sound transportation systems that enhance the well being of cities and afford better access to housing and jobs,” the Committee worked through the study and consensus on local ordinances pertaining to sidewalks and bike paths.

In 1985, the LWV of Orange County adopted a local program to study and reach consensus on local ordinances pertaining to sidewalk and bike paths. Members of the Orange Transportation Committee met regularly while conducting parallel studies on sidewalks/bike paths (multi-modal) and mass transportation. The goal was to present a clearer picture of what local governments and the transportation authorities were doing to fulfill the national League position and to affirm local support for that position and for their local program.

Over the course of their study, they discovered a comprehensive bike plan; researched transportation authorities; found ordinances on sidewalks, and met with local and state officials. They also studied the governments and authorities responsible for dealing with and solving transportation problems. At several meetings in 1986, members of the Orange County League concluded that “an effective authority must incorporate in its development program an integrated system which considered alternate modes of transportation including but not limited to: restricted access highways, bus, light rail, bikeways and sidewalks.”

Question 3. Concurrence on the need for Dedicated Funding Sources:

a. Provisions should be made for adequate, ongoing financing for construction and maintenance, and operation of the multi-modal transportation systems listed above.

b. Many funding options have been proposed. Local and regional governments should have the ability to choose which option(s) are best for their areas.

Background: As part of their study, LWV Orange County considered many funding sources. A large number of techniques or taxes are possible sources of funds for public transportation. Among them are: broad based taxes and revenue sources (retail sales tax, property tax, payroll tax, occupancy tax, etc.); charges on motor vehicle users (fuel tax, vehicle tax, commercial parking tax); charges on property benefiting from transit (service charges, special benefit assessment, tax increments dedicated to transit); borrowing strategies (bonds, equipment trust certificates, tax-exempt industrial revenue bonds, etc.), and joint ventures with the private sector (leasing air-rights, leasing property adjacent to transit facilities, participation in land development). Some authorities also receive state and federal grants.

*Note: Under current consideration is a rental car surtax..

WHAT WE NEED YOU TO DO! Read the transportation positions held by LWV Orange/Seminole and Tallahassee and send us your concurrence questions. THEN: Attend the concurrence meeting in January so we can discuss and reach consensus.

TRANSPORTATION STUDY: Once we have concurrence and each local League has a transportation position, LWVF will have a solid foundation from which to complete the transportation study that was approved at Convention 2009.