MoDOT DIRECTOR APPEARS BEFORE SENATE TRANSPORTATION COMMITTEE: MoDOT Director Henry Hungerbeeler appeared before the Senate Transportation Committee Tuesday, Jan. 21 to discuss the department’s efforts to improve its accountability and operations and plan for the future. In addition to Hungerbeeler, representatives from the Missouri Chamber of Commerce, the Missouri Highway Patrol and the Missouri Transportation and Development Council testified during the hearing.

Hungerbeeler spoke about the Missouri Highways and Transportation Commission approving a new method of distributing transportation funds. He also talked about improvements in estimating highway construction costs as well as MoDOT’s third consecutive “unqualified opinion” in an independent audit of the department.

“To me, these things clearly illustrate that MoDOT’s staff are competent professionals. We run a big business and we do it well,” Hungerbeeler said. “Our business practices are sound, and we’re bringing the work in on time and under budget, continually improving at getting the most for our scarce resources.”

Hungerbeeler admitted that the department could not keep all the promises made in 1992 but pointed out that the people who made those promises—commission members, department officials and legislators—are no longer in their positions. He said if they were, they wouldn’t be able to keep the promises made 10 years ago either. Hungerbeeler said MoDOT has been keeping its promises for several years now.

“Our current success is no fluke,” he added. “Our current success is accountability.”

Following his remarks, Hungerbeeler answered questions from committee members. The questions focused on a number of issues including: estimating highway construction costs, MoDOT’s maintenance of certain city and county roads, highway rest areas and funding for multi modal projects.

The Senate Transportation Committee is under the leadership of a new chairman, Sen. Jon Dolan, R-Lake St. Louis. Last year’s chairman, Sen. Morris Westfall, R-Halfway, as well as a number of previous committee members, no longer serve on the committee because they were unable to seek re-election last fall due to term limits.

Dolan said the committee will be working on a “Transportation Accountability Act,” which will include several reform measures. Committee members are considering changes in the structure of the department and the commission.

HOUSE TRANSPORTATION COMMITTEE GEARING UP: The Missouri House Committee on Transportation and Motor Vehicles had an organizational meeting Wednesday, Jan. 22. The committee is under the leadership of a new chairman, Rep. Larry Crawford, R-California. MoDOT, along with transportation stakeholder organizations, will be making a presentation before the committee on Wednesday, Jan. 29.

The House Committee on Appropriations—Transportation and Economic Development also held an organizational meeting on Jan. 22.

STATE BUDGET DIRECTOR PAINTS BLEAK FINANCIAL PICTURE:  State budget director Linda Luebbering presented Gov. Bob Holden’s budget plan this week before the Senate Appropriations Committee and the House Budget Committee. Her message echoes those presented in the past two years: Missouri must continue to cut services and programs in order to balance the state budget. This year, the Governor also is proposing several tax increases to generate revenue including a $2 increase in the admission fee to gaming boats, a 55-cent per package tax on cigarettes, a 5 percent surcharge on individual income tax for households making more than $200,000 and closing some corporate tax loopholes.

AMBER ALERT BILLS HEARD IN COMMITTEE: Three bills to establish a statewide Amber Alert system to help identify and locate abducted children were heard this week in House and Senate committee hearings

The Senate Pensions and Laws Committee heard testimony Jan. 21 on Senate Bill 30, sponsored by Sen. Chuck Gross, R-St. Charles, and Senate Bill 107, sponsored by Sen. Mary Bland, D-Kansas City. While both bills would establish a statewide Amber Alert system, Senate Bill 30 would allow local areas to keep their current programs in operation in addition to the statewide system. Gross called three witnesses to testify in favor of the legislation: Steve McBride from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children, Sheldon Lineback from the Missouri Police Chiefs Association, and Don Hicks from the Missouri Broadcasters Association.  Mike Stephenson from MoDOT said the department supports the idea of an Amber Alert system and would work with the Department of Public Safety on the program. Questions were asked about how many other states have an Amber Alert system and how long have they been in operation.

The House Committee on Children and Families heard a bill (HCS HB 185), sponsored by Rep. Vicki Schneider, R-O’Fallon, which mirrors the language in Senate Bill 30. Schneider had four witnesses testify in favor of the bill: Steve McBride from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children, Sheldon Lineback from the Missouri Police Chiefs Association, Don Hicks from the Missouri Broadcasters Association and Major Richard Coffey from the Missouri State Highway Patrol.  The committee held an executive session on Jan. 22 and passed the bill out of committee.