April 9, 2007

Media Advisory — Senate Taxation Committee to Hear Transportation Funding Bill SB-324

Users Coalition to Present Expert Testimony on the Cost of Not Keeping Up
Find out More at www.fixNVroads.com

WHO: Nevada Senate Taxation Committee

Mike McGinness - Chair              mmcginness@sen.state.nv.us     684-1442
Randolph J. Townsend - Vice Chair   rtownsend@sen.state.nv.us      684-1450

WHAT: SB 324, the Highway Funding and Accountability Act of 2007. This bill addresses the Nevada Department of Transportation’s Blue Ribbon Task Force recommendations and analysis that the state is $3.8 billion behind in necessary highway funding over the next 10 years.

The Nevada Highway Users Coalition will present to the Committee findings from “Nevada Transportation Issues: An Economic and Fiscal Overview.”  Highlights from this study by Applied Analysis and Hobbs, Ong & Associates:

• Congestion is perhaps the most cited concern among citizens.
• Southern Nevada’s Travel Time Index is the 10th worst in the nation and is roughly equivalent to that in New York City.
• Congestion costs Southern Nevadans an estimated $380 million annually, roughly $279 per capita. (Texas Transportation Institute)
• For every $1 that is spent on highway construction, a total of $1.52 is spent throughout the economy; generating more jobs and a greater tax base.
• Delaying construction of projects for 5 years will cause a 26.4% increase in the cost of the project.  This means that the I-15 project will cost Nevada taxpayers an additional $611 million and I-80 will cost an additional $229 million.    
• Nevada has Sixth highest traffic fatality rate in the United States

WHEN: 1 p.m. on Tuesday, April 10, 2007

WHERE:  Room 2135, Nevada Legislature   The hearing will be teleconferenced to room 4412 of the Grant Sawyer State Office Building from 1 to 2:30 p.m. on Tuesday

Background: The Nevada Highway Users Coalition was formed to advance the rights of Nevada’s residents and visitors to travel on safe, reliable public roads; for the efficient transport of goods and effective public safety; and to hold government accountable for ensuring financing is transparent, motivated by public good and dedicated to transportation purposes. Chairman is Stan Goodin.

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