Grassroots Discussion of Maryland

Environmental Priorities

December 18, 2008

Anacostia Watershed Society, Audubon Naturalist Society,

Coalition for Smarter Growth, Community Research, and Sierra Club

Four Environmental Priorities

• Defund the Intercounty Connector

• Pass a Global Warming Solutions Act

• Pass a Smart Growth Package

• Green the Budget and Protect Essential Programs

General AssemblyNuts and Bolts

Key Dates in the 2009 Session

January 14 The 2009 General session opens.

January 26 Environmental Legislative Kickoff (5:00)

April 13 The 2009 General Session adjourns.

Every Monday night is Lobby Night if you make it one.

Every day is Lobby Day…. If you want it to be.

Each district has….

• Three delegates and

• One senator

• Do you know who represents you?

If not, visit: www.congress.org

Maryland has:

47 Senators

141 Delegates

Defunding the ICC

• Liberates more than $2 billion, and possibly more than $3 billion, for better projects and programs.

• Prohibits new debt for the ICC.

• Prohibits transfers from the General Fund and the Transportation Trust Fund.

The ICC

• Has been highlighted by national environmental and taxpayer groups as one of the most damaging and wasteful projects in the country.

• Was rejected twice by federal agencies, under the Reagan and Clinton administrations.

• But was fast-tracked by George Bush and Bob Ehrlich.

$3+ Billion, No Relief

• Three agency studies in 10 years predict that this $3+ billion toll road would provide little or no relief on I-95, I-495, I-270, or numerous major commuter routes.

• Traffic would increase slightly on segments I-95, I-495 and I-270.

• Most congested roads would remain congested.

• The ICC would have no net impact on the total number of accidents or on the average auto commute time in the ICC Study Area.

What is the True Direct Cost of the ICC?

Principal Cost: $2.4 billion (but this estimate is more than four years old)

Interest on $2 billion debt: Unknown, but …….

Interest on the GARVEE debt: $200 million to $250 million

Interest on toll revenue debt: $600 million to $1.2 billion

Total Cost: $3.2 billion to $4 billion

Plus significant fiscal, economic, environmental, public health and opportunity costs.

How is the ICC Financed? Through Massive Public Debt

• Roughly 85 percent or more of the ICC’s total cost is debt-financed.

• $750 million in GARVEE debt – plus interest – to be repaid in 14 years from hoped for future federal transportation funds.

• $1.2 billion in toll revenue debt – plus interest – to be repaid from tolls facilities statewide.

The ICC Threatens Non-Transportation Priorities

• Maryland’s General Fund generally pays for education, health, public safety, libraries, environmental protection and other programs.

• On October 15, the Board of Public Works cut $348 million and more than 800 positions.

• Even so, Maryland faces a General Fund shortfall of $1.9 billion in FY 2009 and FY 2010.

• Governor O’Malley is furloughing state workers and more painful cuts may be on the way.

Soaring Oil Prices Hammer the Economy and Affect Transportation Revenues

Twenty-Two Years of U.S. Oil PricesCushing, Oklahoma

January 1986 - September 2008

$0.00

$20.00

$40.00

$60.00

$80.00

$100.00

$120.00

$140.00

$160.00

1/2/19861/2/19881/2/19901/2/19921/2/19941/2/19961/2/19981/2/20001/2/20021/2/20041/2/20061/2/2008

Years

Dollars Per Barrel

The ICC Takes a Heavy Toll on Commuters

Tolls on the ICC are estimated to be 20 cents per mile (ICC Final EIS)

More than $7.50 for a full round trip….

Or nearly $2000 per year for a commuter.

Who can afford that?