MTAC testifies against revenue diversions

On March 18, 2016, MTAC President Joe Sculley testified in opposition to Raised Bill 453, which would divert revenue from the Special Transportation Fund. The bill proposes that 50% of revenue from fines issued for blocking an intersection in the three largest municipalities be remitted to the municipality in which it was issued. Currently, 100% of the fine revenue goes to the Special Transportation Fund.

During his testimony, Joe Sculley stated:

This is a perfect example of a diversion of transportation revenue that should be going to the Special Transportation Fund (STF). The legislature is in the midst of considering the “lockbox” proposal, which would be created by Constitutional amendment. This bill should be considered a signal that there is a clear intention to continue to raid the Special Transportation Fund to send transportation revenue to non-transportation purposes, whether there is a lockbox or not. If the current version of the lockbox were to become law, and this bill was being considered next session instead of this session, it would not make any difference. The current version of the lockbox would not stop this diversion of revenue. Not only could this fine revenue be diverted now or after the hypothetical passage of this lockbox, so could fuel taxes, registration fees, or anything else.

To see a copy of the entire testimony, click here.