Drivers Wanted: Transportation Summit Focuses on Moving Mid-Maryland

By George Berkheimer

The clock is ticking for business leaders, elected officials and other policy makers who face tough choices and unavoidable obligations in planning central Maryland's future transportation needs. That's the message presented by the panelists and guest speakers at last month's Baltimore-Washington Corridor Transportation Summit, convened by the Corridor Transportation Corp. (CTC).
Rising home costs, inflation, competing priorities, unprecedented job growth tied to the Base Realignment and Closure (BRAC) process, political expedience, unreliable program funding and human behavior represent only a handful of the variables that influence how people move into, out of, through and within Maryland's central region.
"It's a situation that requires a concerted effort between all jurisdictions to join forces and a need to look at the region in a macro, not a micro, environment," said Stuart Title, president of CTC and the summit's moderator. "This is more than just BRAC, and payback to the participating communities and jurisdictions will dwarf their investments for years to come."
What the region needs most of all, according to Sen. Ben Cardin (D-Md.), is a strategy.
"Senator Mikulski and I will do everything we can to advance Maryland's transportation priorities," Cardin said. "Getting a system that's effective and efficient will drive jobs and employment decisions. It's important for the environment and our way of life ... and it's also important for the departments of defense and homeland security."

Tradeoffs
Alan Pisarski, an expert on infrastructure and national transportation issues, advised regional planners that commuting is only a small part of transportation dynamics.
"Commuting amounts to less than 20% of local passenger travel," Pisarski said. Work travel is experiencing growth, he added, but other forms of travel are growing at a faster rate. "Tourism, services, public vehicles, urban goods movements, through-passenger and through-freight travel must also be considered."
According to Pisarski's studies, the biggest increase in trip activity in the region is showing up in suburb-to-suburb movements in the Baltimore and Washington metro areas.
"Living in the suburbs and working in the suburbs is the dominant flow here," he said, and no amount of centralized planning and development theory seems to offer an answer. "China assigns people to housing and to jobs, and even they can't make it work."
Congestion problems will only increase as America becomes a more affluent society with an immense value of time, Pisarski predicted, advising that the best suggestion would be to "plan for the future of a population where the value of time equals $50 an hour, and the value of freight equates to twice the value per pound."

Location a Factor
Nevertheless, the factor of where travelers start their trips will continue to play a role in the economic decisions made. According to Anirban Basu, chair and CEO of Sage Policy Group, many workers have been forced to trade off housing affordability for longer commutes, driving up gasoline consumption. "People are driving until they qualify."
Moreover, he said, there is a disproportionate share of jobs being added in the Corridor as compared to the share of housing being built. "If you don't build higher, there's no chance in any part of central Maryland that we can provide affordable workforce housing; you just can't have it without [density]. We should embrace it, but we don't."
These problems, combined with inadequate transportation systems, have begun to affect employers. Peter Laport, factory director for Dreyer's Grand Ice Cream in Laurel, told summit participants that the company has lost applicants because it doesn't have adequate transportation access. "We're having a hard time filling these jobs, and we still have 200 to 300 workers and 20 to 30 managers to bring aboard."
Rather than seek solutions, American Public Transportation Association President William Millar suggested that planners should instead seek more options for travelers, a policy that Basu endorsed.
That's just the strategy some of the regional jurisdictions are hoping to create through a joint operations and maintenance facility that will be constructed at Fort Meade. Buses, however, have their limits and are subject to congestion. Rail travel provides an option that takes vehicles off the region's roadways and can be expanded along existing right-of-ways without eating up more land.
Of course, cost is also a factor. "Bi-level cars ... cost $2.5 million to $3 million apiece, locomotives are $7 million each, and a storage yard in Aberdeen with overhaul facilities is $100 million," noted Maryland's Secretary of Transportation John Porcari.
There's also the matter of coordinating with CSX and Amtrak to establish bigger operating windows for commuter rail service.

A Question of Will
Highways are another concern, but not as big a concern as overall transportation funding. Porcari deems this situation the perfect storm: "We have a number of projects that are going to construction or close to it, but the final element that's missing is the financial ability to build the projects," he said. "We have a $40 billion transportation backlog of transportation projects over the next 20 years."
That translates into a need for up to $600 million in additional revenue per year that, right now, the state doesn't have, although some very disagreeable options are available. Tolls on additional highway capacity and existing capacity are one example, Millar suggested. The state could also impose a gasoline tax, a percentage tax or a corporate tax to help cover transportation costs, especially in light of the state's projected structural deficit of up to $1.558 billion during the next two years, noted Columnist Barry Rascovar.
In any case, "Maryland must have an immediate, significant infusion of funds to the Transportation Trust Fund," said former Maryland State Senator Robert Neall.
"What we have in place isn't nearly enough," Rascovar said of current infrastructure, adding that the biggest question is one of will, on the part of both constituents and elected officials.
"I'm not sure the will is there among elected leaders to do what needs to be done," he said. "It's going to take a lot of pressure from partnerships and a lot of hard work leaning on politicians. The Fort Meade Alliance was very influential in bringing those BRAC jobs to Fort Meade. It's that same kind of lobbying that's going to have to take place now if we're going to get a handle on this transportation problem."




Legislative Session Winds Down as Introductions Begin

As Maryland's 2007 legislative session came to an end, elected officials on both sides of the aisle had successes to brag about and wounds to lick.
Del. Elizabeth Bobo (D-12B), said she was "very pleased" with the passage of the Clean Cars Bill, which she sponsored as chair of the Environmental Matters Committee's Land Use and Ethics subcommittee. The bill was signed into law by Gov. Martin O'Malley (D) on April 24.
"I was also pleased with the passage of the Senior Rides Bill that will take the limit off of the number of years the Senior Rides program will get funds from the state," she said, "and I feel very good about the environmental legislation we were able to pass."
On the other hand, Bobo expressed frustration at being unable to push through a Housing Trust Fund set up to help counties develop more workforce housing. "We'll be making that a priority during the next legislative session," she said.
On the Republican side of the House of Delegates, Warren Miller (R-9A) observed in a letter to constituents that "the 2007 session has produced both good and bad [results]."
Maryland now enjoys the dubious distinction of leading the country "in a movement to destroy the Electoral College system," Miller said. "In a nutshell, Maryland has now put its Electoral College votes up for adoption. ... If Maryland is going to stray from the Electoral College system, it should be done by means of a constitutional amendment that directly addresses the issue, not by playing a cowardly end-run."
He registered his pleasure with the passage of House Bill 18 and Senate Bill 392, which mandate a paper trail for voting, and the passage of Jessica's Law, which establishes mandatory minimum sentences for sex offenders who target children.

Independent Voice
In Howard County, a new politically-oriented newsletter began appearing at libraries and various retail outlets in April. Howard County Issues, published by a collection of Howard County's independent voters, includes responses from elected officials and citizens to illustrate issues and arguments.
"It's more about information and data than news," said Mona Brinegar, spokesperson for Unaffiliated/Independent Voters in Howard County and editor of the publication.
"We are making an extra effort to include and build Independent voter contacts as a shared goal for the newsletter, while we continue to encourage contributions from the Democrats and Republicans who believe this is good information for all voters," Brinegar said. "We are not, nor will we be, competition for newspapers or blogs."
The first issue features a Point/Counterpoint focus on early voting and statewide voting with no identification, with remarks provided by State Sen. Jim Robey (D-13) and State Sen. Allan Kittleman (R-9). The publication will also present cumulative tracking of local and state records for voting on bills which pass the Howard County Council and the state legislature, Brinegar said.
"We are aiming for five or six releases this year," she wrote in the inaugural issue. "Eventually we'd like to increase the frequency."

2008 Budget
Locally, Howard County Executive Ken Ulman (D) submitted his Fiscal Year 2008 Capital Budget to Council Chairman Calvin Ball (D-District 2) on April 2. The budget reflects priorities for education, public safety and protecting the environment.
"I think this budget funds what residents expect and want: great schools and excellent public safety services," Ulman said. "But I know that Howard County citizens also want great parks and a government that is always looking to a better future. I believe that vision is represented in this budget, too."
The Board of Education's capital project requests have been fully funded, with more than $80 million being spent for school construction and renovations. Included in this amount are funds for full-day kindergarten and technology upgrades. The budget also includes $12.7 million for Howard Community College, with $824,000 earmarked for the completion of currently unfinished space at its Children's Learning Center.
Public safety projects in this budget include $5.4 million for a Public Safety Education Center, which will provide a state-of-the-art facility for training police and fire employees, and $1.5 million for a Public Safety Radio System Enhancement project to provide better communications for first responders.
In addition, the executive will request an increase in the fire tax later this year to provide additional monies to fund fire and rescue vehicles and other critical fire capital projects.

Greener Environment
Under the budget's environmental heading, the Environmental Compliance project includes $405,000 for an ongoing evaluation of environmental compliance for county facilities. The Systemic Facility Improvements project is receiving an additional $400,000 designated as a "green fund" to support costs associated with conversion to energy efficient and environmentally preferable products within county facilities.
The proposed budget also includes $7.5 million for parkland acquisitions.
Additionally, Ulman's budget includes $2.2 million for the purchase of the Belmont property. County funds will cover half the cost of the property, with the other half matched by private donors. A total of $2.82 million has been allocated to renovate and improve existing structures on the site.
The county also intends to move forward to purchase the nearby Dobbin Property with Program Open Space Funds and extinguish the existing development rights, allowing the property to be permanently preserved as open space. The land is presently being appraised.
Included in the budget proposal is $16.6 million for a Government Service Campus, and $14 million to cover retiree health benefits. The entire proposed fiscal 2008 Capital Budget may be accessed through the county government web site at www.howardcountymd.gov.





The General Assembly Session,
Post Mortem

At the conclusion of the 2007 General Assembly session, the elephant in the room remains standing, quietly flicking his tail and flexing his trunk, brandishing massive ivory tusks, a foreboding reminder of the state fiscal crunch facing Maryland's dedicated and determined legislative corps next year.

Simon Says
"The structural deficit is the biggest concern," said Sen. Bryan Simonaire (R-31), one of the freshman brigade. "We've pushed off the hard decisions until next year."
Simonaire said that a proposed budget amendment with $500 million savings this year and next was rejected because "in politics, when leadership wants something, the legislators line up, split along party lines."
Echoing the sentiments of some of his colleagues, he said, "There's no need to reduce spending. We just need to reduce the rate of growth. We need to spend reasonably and fairly."
North County residents are facing rising energy costs, rising water costs and rising gasoline prices. "The people are seeing enough increases already," he said, adding that they do not need additional tax increases.
Simonaire said that the legislature is "looking at every different way they can tax. That's the real downside of the session. Otherwise, it was a great session. I worked on building relationships with senators and delegates."
As a parting thought, he said, "It's not about the politicians. It's about the people of Maryland's future."

Slots of Revenue
Sen. Ed DeGrange, Sr. (D-32) serves on the Budget & Taxation Committee and has a bird's eye view of the process. "We have to deal with [the deficit] as soon as possible," he said.
His explanation for the rejection of the budget amendments: "None of the proposals were presented during budget deliberations. They were proposed on the floors of the Senate and House." And without time for proper scrutiny, they were fated to be discarded.
DeGrange said the legislature gave Gov. O'Malley and his new administration time to assess the situation before making major adjustments to the budget. "We allowed them to get their feet on the ground."
A special legislative session, probably in September or October, will be the time when the budget is seriously examined, he said. "Everything has to be on the table. Everything is going to be looked at. There will be cuts throughout certain agencies. It's not going to be a pleasant time."
DeGrange said that every year "the government must fund education and have a balanced budget. Education was a big winner in this session."
Slots are expected to be part of the package, too. Constituents prefer slots to taxes and they see money going out of Maryland as residents venture to neighboring states to pour money into the machines. "I have supported slots," he said. "It's something we need to do."
DeGrange said, however, that revenues from slots would not be realized during the first 18 to 24 months of their introduction, as the system is put in place and ramped up. Initially, slots might "cannibalize" up to 10% of state lottery revenue.
He said Maryland's slots bill is one of the most "lucrative [slots] deals anywhere in the country and there are a lot of safeguards in the system. The new slots will be under control of the state lottery commission. Our computer systems will control it."
The $100 million estimate for upgrading facilities where slots will be located will generate plenty of jobs, DeGrange added.

House of Schuh
"Everyone is determined to work in the interim to resolve the matter in an acceptable way," said Del. Steve Schuh (R-31), about the looming deficit and special session. "The $1.5 billion is going to close through a combination of spending restraint, slots or tax increases. My choice is spending restraints and the reality is we won't do this."
He emphasized: "Absolutely everything in the state budget - except interest on the debt - can be constrained if there's a will to do it."
In one of his rhetorical flourishes, Schuh inquired, "Why do elected officials find it difficult to restrain spending? In Maryland, there's a deep, ingrained 50-year tradition of increasing spending. Legislators have a weak stomach for putting up with the hue and cry from advocacy programs [that want the funding]."
One area where the ax will not fall is government employment. "Government officials and government employees have a deeply ingrained habit to view government employment as a lifetime entitlement," he said. "Government officials don't want to reduce the head count. Government almost never lets go of people for underperforming. There's a deep antipathy to letting go of people and to cutting programs."
By eliminating the under-performing employees, perhaps 5% of the workforce, Schuh said the state would save about $200 million annually, a pretty good chunk of the expected deficit. He added that slots would likely add another $100 million - for a combined $300 million toward neutralizing the imposing financial burden.

All You Need Is Love
"I think we had a great session locally," said Del. Mary Ann Love (D-32), head of the Anne Arundel delegation. "We got school construction [funding] in the county. The county delegation got along. The freshmen are quick thinkers and they enjoyed being there."
Continuing on that note, she said, "I'm pleased with our delegation and I look forward to working with them next year. We won't agree on everything, but they like to sit down and discuss things, which I'm tickled about."
She said they got all of County Executive John Leopold's priorities, except the car rental tax. "I'm most proud of the school board bill," which features committee-nominated candidates who must be confirmed by voters during a subsequent election.
About the deficit: "We've had the $1.5 billion hanging around since the 1990s," Love said. "I'm really pleased that in the fall we're really going to deal with it. Everyone is going to see what we can do. I wouldn't be surprised to see slots on the agenda. Slots seem to be sitting there."

Kipke Believes
"We spend a lot of bad money in government, which costs us exponentially," said Del. Nic Kipke (R-31). If we could fix one program per year," a lot of spending waste would be eliminated. He cited legislators' tendency to cling to "pet programs," even in times of fiscal crisis, as an impediment to his pragmatic approach.
A short-term health insurance bill, which originated in Kipke's Health & Government Operations Committee, was passed into law. The legislation allows "health insurance companies to sell a product in Maryland for employees of seasonal employment," Kipke said.
The plan provides emergency medical services, physician visits and a prescription component. Currently, such coverage is illegal in the state. "I'm proud to have worked on it," he said.
"I'm looking for ways we can improve government," said the idealistic freshman delegate, who embraces the principle of bi-partisanship. "My motivations are sincere. I want to make a difference. I believe government can make a [positive] difference. I'm always looking for ways to make government work better."