The MBTA advocates at the Maine Legislature for funding of safe, efficient roads, bridges, ports, rail, airports, transit and bicycle and pedestrian facilities. Much of our legislative activity involves work with the transportation and appropriations committees, the two committees that are responsible for transportation funding. The Legislature’s Joint Standing Committee on Transportation has jurisdiction over the Highway Fund Budget that funds highway, bridge and the state ferry system improvements. The Legislature’s Joint Standing Committee on Appropriations oversees the General Fund budget. Funding for ports and harbors, airports, rail and mass transit facilities comes from the General Fund.

 

In addition to working with legislators, the MBTA also works with transportation leaders and agencies including:

 

The office of Governor John Elias Baldacci

 

The Maine Department of Transportation

 

The Maine Turnpike Authority

The MBTA also advocates on federal transportation funding issues, specifically for the federal transportation authorization bill that determines the federal dollars that Maine and other states receive. Currently, the association is concerned about the solvency of the Highway Trust Fund that faces a major shortfall, as well as the federal transportation funding reauthorization process currently underway.