Brad Lager's Capitol Report -- Stretching our Transportation Dollars

The effects of the national economic downturn have impacted individuals, business owners, and entire communities. As a result, every level of government has also been impacted. In order to maintain our state’s balanced budget, declining revenue collections were offset with spending reductions. These reductions forced every department within our state government to do more with less. Quite simply, our state government is going to have to be more efficient, more effective and more impactful with every dollar it spends.
Over the last five years, the Missouri Department of Transportation (MoDot) has spent approximately $1.2 billion per year on our state’s highway construction program. The economic downturn combined with an out-dated revenue structure has forced MoDot to reduce their annual construction budget by nearly 50 percent. MoDOT officials have proposed a multi year plan to deal with this financial challenge. By reducing staff, closing regional facilities, and selling off excess equipment, MoDot will generate an annual savings of nearly $512 million per year by 2015.
The current system of regional offices has been in place for many years, and some individuals argue that this restructuring and/or rightsizing was long overdue. While the implementation of a plan of this magnitude is not simple and will not happen overnight, there is no reason to cast aside the idea just because it is different than how things have always been done. Just like families across our state, MoDot must take the steps necessary to do the best job possible with fewer resources.
The funding of a safe and reliable transportation infrastructure must be a top priority for our state government. A robust transportation infrastructure is imperative to the economic success of our communities. Although Missourians have always been proud of our ability to “do more with less,” I will be watching to ensure MoDot does everything possible to maintain the transportation system necessary to support a vibrant and growing economy.
As always, please feel free to call, email, or write with your ideas or concerns. The Capitol number is (573) 751-1415, my email is brad.lager@senate.mo.gov and my mailing address is Room 422, State Capitol Building, Jefferson City, MO 65101.