LARGE TURNOUT IN HANNIBAL FOR TRANSPORTATION MEETING

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Rod Jetton on importance of building roads and improving infrastructure

Click HERE for the full interviews

The Missouri Department of Transportation told participants in Hannibal Monday that the current budget of $700 million will be just enough to maintain Missouri's existing system.

An additional $500 million a year would be needed to get the state back to budget levels of recent years but still shy of what's required.

Former House Speaker Rod Jetton controlled the gavel from 2005-2008
(file photo courtesy of House photographer Tim Bommel)

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INTERVIEW: Jetton: Missouri Must Invest More In Transportation

Rod Jetton

SSE Marketing Director, Rod Jetton, co-chairs the Blue Ribbon Citizens Committee on Missouri Transportation Needs. He joined KWIX Radio reporter Brian Hauswirth for a live interview on June 26, 2012. Click here to listen to Brian's full interview with Mr. Jetton:

CLICK HERE FOR THE FULL RADIO INTERVIEW

Committee Weighing MODOT Options

The following story is taken from the Daily Dunklin Democrat and can be found in its original format here: http://www.dddnews.com/story/1855943.html

Committee Weighing MODOT Options

Sunday, June 3, 2012

COREY NOLES SEMO News Service

A committee of Missourians, co-chaired by Dexter City Administrator Mark Stidham, is travelling the state hoping to answer questions for MoDOT regarding necessary infrastructure improvements and repairs.
(Photo by Corey Noles/SEMO News Service)

How important are good roads to you?

This is one of several questions the Blue Ribbon Citizen's Committee on Missouri's Transportation Needs is asking Missourians to think about.

Dexter's City Administrator Mark Stidham co-chairs the committee alongside Rod Jetton and Bill McKenna as well as 18 others from across the state.  The committee began meeting in April when they learned about the challenges the Missouri Department of Transportation (MoDOT) faces in years to come.

"Basically, by 2015, the Federal Highway Commission and the Missouri Department of Transportation will be out of money," Stidham said. "The surplus they have operated on through the recession is almost gone." MoDOT's funding is based primarily on income from the state fuel tax. Since 1992, MoDOT has received 17-cents per gallon of gasoline or diesel fuel sold. That revenue is the same whether gas is at two dollars or four dollars per-gallon. This money comes to MoDOT through the Highway Trust Fund, which has helped finance bridge and highway projects since 1956.

Over the 20 years since, the cost of almost everything has risen dramatically. Asphalt has increased approximately 175 percent. Concrete has increased almost 200 percent per cubic yard.

At the same time, the amount of money coming in to MoDOT has actually decreased due to more fuel efficient vehicles and people being more conscientious due to the price of fuel.

According to MoDOT figures, Missouri ranks seventh of the 50 states in terms of the amount of highway in miles. The state ranks seventh from the bottom in terms of fuel tax to fund highway maintenance and expansion.

What does this mean to the committee?

The committee is looking at several different things.

First, they are listening to groups and individuals share the needs for the roads in their region. These range widely from interstate expansion to dangerous curves to river port work.

All of these things fall under MoDOT's jurisdiction, but as the money decreases, so is the output.

Second, the committee is tasked with finding the solution to MoDOT's financial issues. Big projects take money. For instance, Stidham explained MoDOT plans to make I-70 three lanes across Missouri to alleviate congestion issues.

Another area of concern is I-44 from St. Louis to Springfield. Simply put, road work is expensive.

Does this mean more taxes?

It's possible, but they believe there are other options.

The most obvious option is to change the way the fuel tax is calculated. Instead of having it calculated by the gallon, have the tax be on the dollar amount.

This method, Stidham said, would allow for inflation to occur while keeping MoDOT functional.
"Could you live on what you did in 1992?" he asked. "That's basically what MoDOT is doing. Utiliities have gone up. Supplies and fuel have gone up and they're stuck at the same income."

There are several things the committee could recommend to the governor and legislature.

Another option is an increase in licensing fees when purchasing a new car.

A third option is the possibility of toll roads in some places. Other states have had success with this method, but there is some reluctance to bring the practice to Missouri.

"Missouri is the crossroads of the nation," Stidham said. "You can be anywhere in the country in two or three days from Missouri. Our highways are crucial to our economy and business not just within the state, but right here in Dexter."

After the board's scheduled seven public meetings, they will meet among themselves to discuss and determine what their recommendation will be.

"We really don't know what we'll recommend yet," Stidham said, noting that the group is only having its second meeting today, Friday, June 1.

On Friday, June 29, 2012, the group will have its only Southeast Missouri meeting. It will take place at the Show-Me Center in Cape Girardeau at 10 a.m.

Rod Jetton of Schultz and Summers Engineering to Co-Chair Transportation Committee

 Transportation panel appointment is a 

return to public work for Jetton

 

May 7, 2012 By Mike Lear

A 21-member committee will hold meetings across the state this spring and summer looking into the future of transportation in Missouri. It also marks a return to public service for a former House Speaker a year after pleading guilty to assault.

Former House Speaker Rod Jetton (photo courtesy: Missouri House Communications)

The Blue Ribbon Citizens Committee on Missouri Transportation Needs has been appointed by House Speaker Steven Tilley (R-Perryville), who wants it to look at the state’s transportation needs and look for solutions.

It is co-chaired by a fellow Republican and former House Speaker, Rod Jetton, who says his history of attacking infrastructure issues in Missouri is likely why he got the nod. “I did a walk to Jeff City back then after I was elected, my first year as a new state rep. I fought any new taxes for MODOT … there were some initiatives that year to put some more money there … and then when I was in office we dealed with some bills to reform the Highway Commission, approved some different funding mechanisms … bonding … for MODOT, and then in 2007 as Speaker I did a big statewide tour on transportation.”

Self-described as once being one of the Transportation Department’s strongest critics, Jetton says the agency has come a long way in improving its reputation since 2000, but he says the state has not made a new investment in transportation since Amendment 3.

“We spend more and more money on all kids of crazy programs and things and I don’t know if it really helps our state all that much, and yet there’s no doubt in my mind when we build a bridge or a highway, or even when you talk about a port or other modes of transportation, it’s something you can feel, see, touch and we know that it’s there and what it’s doing for our state.”

Jetton admits some hestitation at accepting the appointment and stepping back into the public spotlight. Last year, he pleaded guilty to a reduced misdemeanor assault charge and was sentenced to probation and paying restitution. The case stemmed from a sexual encounter with a woman in 2009.

In the end, he says he decided to accept the position, calling it an opportunity to do work to benefit the state. “I’ve got children and hopefully will have grandchildren and I want them to travel our roads safely and have jobs.”

The Committee’s meeting schedule is:

Monday, May 14, 1:00 p.m.
MODOT – St. Louis District Transportation Mangement Center
14301 South Outer 40 Road
Chesterfield, MO 63017

Monday, May 21, 1:00 p.m.
MODOT – Northwest District
3602 North Belt Highway
St. Joseph, MO 64506

Monday, June 1, 1:00 p.m.
Springfield Area Chamber of Commerce
202 South John Q Hammons Pkwy
Springfield, MO 65806

Friday, June 29, 10:00 a.m.
Show-Me Center
1333 North Sprigg Street
Cape Girardeau, MO 63701


Monday, July 9, 10:00 a.m.
Activity and Recreation Center (ARC)
1701 West Ash Street
Columbia, MO 65203

Monday, July 23, 10:00 a.m.
MODOT – Northeast District
1711 South Route 61
Hannibal, MO 63401

Monday, August 6, 10:00 a.m.
Gamber Center, Shenendoah Rum
4 SE Independence Avenue
Lee’s Summit, MO 64603

DEXTER MAN NAMED TO NEW MoDOT HELP COMMITTEE

 

Dexter City Administrator Mark Stidham has been appointed to The Blue Ribbon Citizens Committee on Missouri’s Transportation Needs by Speaker Steven Tilley.  He will join co-chairmen Rod Jetton and Bill McKennna along with 18 other committee members.

 

Read the full story here 

Dexter City Administrator Mark Stidham

Jetton Named Co-Chair of Blue Ribbon Transportation Committee

MEDIA ADVISORY

	Missouri House of Representatives
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: March 5, 2012		CONTACT:  David Willis                                     573-751-1488

Speaker Steven Tilley announces Blue Ribbon Citizens Committee on Missouri’s Transportation Needs

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. – House Speaker Steven Tilley, R-Perryville is creating a citizens panel to address existing and future concerns on Missouri transportation issues.  Working alongside the Missouri Department of Transportation, Tilley’s Blue Ribbon Committee will meet at several locations throughout the state to discuss local issues and funding ideas.  At each meeting the committee will observe a presentation on local projects from MoDOT officials.  The meetings will give concerned citizens a chance to give their input on transportation projects and funding ideas.

“With large transportation projects being proposed, I want to make sure all of Missouri’s transportation needs are considered and that we take a close look at how they are funded,” said Speaker Tilley “The Blue Ribbon Citizens Committee on Missouri’s Transportation Needs is a great way to check the pulse of the state by providing an opportunity for Missouri’s citizens to voice their opinions.”

The committee will be co-chaired by former House Speaker Rod Jetton and former Senate President Pro Temr Bill McKenna. Other members include: Ben Jones, Blake Hurst, Brian Meisel, Dan Mehan, Duane Michie, Ed Soignie, Estil Fretwell, Jim Anderson, Joe Delong, John Nations, Len Toenjes, Mark Stidham  Neal St. Onge, Randy Verkamp, Ric Neubert, Scott Smith, Tom Crawford, Tom Dunne, and Tony Thompson.

“The Blue Ribbon Citizens Committee serves as a microcosm of Missouri citizens, representing numerous interest groups throughout Missouri,” said Tilley.

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DOT makes $500 Million available for infrastructure projects

Here is a great story in -



 Tiger Grant money is now available.  Schultz and Summers Engineering will be doing all we can to help our clients apply and receive some of these funds.  We have helped over 56 communities obtain over $92 million in free grants and loans.  If you know a community that would like to have SSE assist them in applying for one of these grants, then have them contact Marvin Nesbit, SSE's director of Business development, because the deadline is quickly approaching You can read the whole story after clicking the link below. 

 Read the whole story here.