Resolving transportation issues (bottlenecks and safety problems) combined with properly maintaining our road networks is one of the most critical areas in which County government must make investments.   I have supported a phased and fiscally prudent process that has substantially improved the ability of Scott County to meet our local transportation needs

As your commissioner, transportation continues to be one of my highest priorities.  Transportation is critical for getting people to work, school, recreation and to move manufactured goods to market.  A multi-modal, integrated transportation system is vital to healthy communities and long term, regional transportation planning that emphasizes safety and cost reduction.  Cooperation and cost sharing among all units of government is critical to maintaining our quality of life.   

Inadequate funding of transportation puts our economy and quality of life at risk, affects economic development, and can create unsafe conditions.  Our highways and bridges are aging and often cannot handle increased levels of traffic.  It is a simple fact that we spend more time commuting now than years ago, and it is costing us both money and time away from our families.  In addition, congestion causes delays in delivering products, increases pollution of the environment and fuel consumption, and often results in lost productivity

As your commissioner I have supported significant increases in transportation funding.  It is crucial that we maintain our existing infrastructure.  Preservation of the existing system requires a large portion of available funds.  In addition, the lack of state investment in infrastructure has resulted in additional county cost – collectively Counties now provide more funding for roads than does State Government.

My emphasis as your commissioner has been:

• Providing adequate funding to stop deteriorating condition of roads and alleviate congestion.

• Work to reduce unfunded state mandates which impact funds available for transportation and highway needs

• Continue to use local funding to leverage federal funds that are available – Scott County has received more than $25 million in Federal funding over the past several years.

• Work to reform and revise the current formula for distributing counties share of gas tax and license tab fees so that it is no longer unfair to growing counties and metro area

• Continue to look for limited and effective dedicated funding sources, like the $5 wheelage tax, to offset the need for higher property taxes

If re-elected I will continue to focus my efforts on building and maintaining an adequate and safe transportation system and to leverage Federal dollars wherever possible.