Surface Transportation System: Challenges of the Future Hearing Before Subcommittee on Highways and

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Surface Transportation System Challenges of the
FutureHearing Before Subcommittee on Highways
and TransitCommittee on Transportation and
InfrastructureU.S. House of RepresentativesJanua
ry 24, 2007

• Testimony of Jack Schenendorf
• Of Counsel, Covington Burling LLP
• 1201 Pennsylvania Avenue, N.W.
• Washington, D.C. 20004
• (202-662-5321)

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Introduction

• Of Counsel with law firm of Covington Burling
  LLP
• Practice Government Affairs/Transportation
• Before joining Covington in 2001, served on staff
  of this Committee for 25 years, serving under six
  Republican leaders
• Bush/Cheney Transition Team

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Introduction (contd)

• Testifying in my capacity as Vice Chairman of the
  National Surface Transportation Revenue and
  Policy Study Commission
• Established by Congress in Section 1909 of
  SAFETEA-LU.
• Commission consists of 12 Members
• The Secretary of Transportation (Chair)
• 3 Executive Branch
• 4 House
• 4 Senate
• I was appointed by Speaker Hastert.

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Perfect Storm Gathering

• Our aging surface transportation system needs to
  be adequately maintained and replaced where
  necessary
• Economic and population growth will place
  increased demand on our aging infrastructure,
  requiring improved efficiency and increased
  capacity
• Our traditional funding sources have been unable
  to keep up with the demand

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Testimony

• Commissions work
• Challenges facing Commission
• Second financing commission

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Commissions Work

• Commissions charge needs, federal role, and
  financing
• Short, medium and long-term perspectives
• Highways, transit, intercity freight rail,
  intercity passenger rail
• Conceptual plan (with alternative approaches),
  including specific recommendations regarding
  Federal policies and legislative changes
• To include recommendations for alternative
  revenue sources to support the Highway Trust Fund
• Schedule December 31, 2007

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Commissions Work Public Outreach

• Dallas, Portland, New York, Memphis
• Atlanta, Los Angeles/Las Vegas, Chicago
• Washington, D.C.

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Commissions Work Technical Analyses

• Analysis of current status of system (6 papers)
• Analysis of baseline revenues and system needs
  (12 papers)
• Analysis of future issues and changing demands on
  the system
• Demographic changes (7 papers)
• Changes in economy (17 papers)
• Energy issues (7 papers)
• Environmental concerns (8 papers)
• Security and emergency management (4 papers)
• Military deployment (1 paper)
• Design policies (9 papers)
• Other (over 30 papers)
• Analysis of financing alternatives
• Revenue options (19 papers)
• Transition (5 papers)
• Alternative federal roles (11 papers)

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Commissions Work Blue Ribbon Panel

• 74 members
• First Meeting in February
• Peer review
• Projects

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Challenges

• Slow start
• Resources
• Vision
• Diverse views

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Second Commission

• Ways Means/Finance Committees
• Scheduling
• Limited jurisdiction
• No money
• Relationship to Section 1909 Commission