2008 South Western Region MPO Legislative Agenda

The South Western Regional Planning Agency and the First Selectmen, First Selectwomen and Mayors of the Region’s eight member municipalities are pleased to present the 2008 South Western Region MPO Legislative Agenda.

Additional information on specific legislative recommendations may be found in the complete document (PDF, 865kb).

The following items were presented to the Region's legislative delegation by SWRPA’s Board of Representatives and the Region’s chief elected officials at Norwalk City Hall on January 22, 2008:

1. Fund Municipal Assistance Programs:

A. Continue the current municipal real estate conveyance tax rates;

B. Provide annual increased state funding for critical local aid programs to index for inflation:

1. Fully fund Payment in Lieu of Taxes (PILOT) reimbursement programs to the maximum extent allowable by State Statute;

2. Increase funding for Town Aid for Roads to $33 million*;

3. Increasefunding for the Local Capital Improvements Program to $33 million*;

4. Increase funding for the Small Town Economic Assistance Program to $22 million*;

* Represents a 10% increase from SFY 2007-08 to account for recent cost of living adjustments.

2. Support and Fully Fund Major Transportation Initiatives:

A. Institute a two-part sound barrier program incorporating state of good repair/normal replacement (rehabilitation) and new construction;

B. Provide funding for a five year statewide $215 million capital expenditure and $162 million operating program to support bus initiatives;

C. Provide funding to study and implement congestion pricing on Connecticut highways;

D. Improve truck safety through extended weigh station hours of operation;

E. Provide access to highway traffic cameras to municipal officers and emergency management teams and provide $250,000 to develop a comprehensive incident management master plan for the I-95 corridor between the New York State Line and West Haven to serve as the template for a future statewide incident management master plan;

F. Provide adequate funding to develop strategic plans for the state rail and bus systems;

G. Fully fund legislatively mandated rail infrastructure improvements on the New Haven Line and its branch lines.

Other Matters of Regional Importance Supported by the South Western Region Metropolitan Planning Organization:

 • Implement Reorganization of ConnDOT, including Creation of an Office of ConnDOT Ombudsman and formation of an independent Public Transit Agency;

• Provide municipalities and emergency management directors complimentary access to databases containing phone numbers for Reverse 911 purposes;

• Develop incentive based strategies to facilitate transit oriented development.

PLEASE SEE ATTACHED FACT SHEETS FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

 

Contact webmaster@swrpa.org with comments or questions about this site.