Federal transportation funding is in serious trouble in the U.S., but that doesn't mean the work has to stop, according to Mark Muro and Robert Puentes.
They point to an interesting model being formed in Arizona, where a regional association of governments is coordinating efforts with the federal government to get more funding directly in the hands of MPOs to start tackling some of the nation's transportation issues.
"Challenged by needs yet pessimistic about the likelihood of new federal funding, MAG would have the federal government and large metropolitan areas work a trade in which Washington would provide new incentives in the form of increased and direct funding to metropolitan planning organizations (MPOs) and new flexibilities in exchange for those regions' continued contribution of substantial regional funding to the creation of the national transportation system. Along those lines, what MAG calls a "new partnership" between Washington and its most creative regions might enable new progress in addressing the nation's gargantuan transportation challenges.
In short, MAG is suggesting that the federal government help those who are helping themselves and so help them to address the nation's pressing infrastructure needs."
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