Statehouse Democrats and Republicans sparred over transportation funding Wednesday, as they should, but eventually we hope they can find a piece of common ground large enough to share.
The issue is too important to Coloradans for it to succumb to party-line fights.
Senate Bill 108, which is wending its way through the legislature, appears to be a good first step toward addressing some of the most dire transportation needs, such as structurally deficient bridges. That is, if the bill doesn’t get so shot through with amendments and exemptions that it doesn’t raise the kind of money needed.
State Sen. Dan Gibbs, who is shepherding the bill through the Senate, said Wednesday that the bill as written would raise $214 million in the first year and $265 million in the second year. That money largely would come from increases in vehicle registration fees and a $2-a-day car rental surcharge.
Senate Democrats, who have enough votes to move the legislation as it stands, threw a bone to Republicans Wednesday morning when they removed two provisions Republicans disliked: tolling of existing roads and a pilot program to test a fee structure that would charge drivers based on the number of miles they drive.
Late Wednesday afternoon, Gibbs successfully re-inserted the tolling provision. Tolling should be a viable option on the table, but if it threatens to derail the bill, it ought to come out.
Republicans proposed a smaller vehicle registration hike of $20 on Wednesday — a huge step for them but not enough to address the magnitude of Colorado’s problem.
New funding is needed for the state’s crumbling and overcrowded roads so they don’t pose unacceptable safety risks, cripple economic development and make traveling a headache.
A transportation commission concluded that Colorado has to spend an additional $500 million to $1.5 billion annually on its roads and bridges.
Gas tax revenues, which are a main source of road funding, have been steadily declining. Adjust for inflation and you’ll find the Colorado Department of Transportation is trying to maintain the road system with the same money it had 25 years ago.
At the same time, pressures on the road system have increased. The state has an estimated 126 structurally deficient bridges needing repair.
The state cannot wait for one of them to fall down before acting.
This bill will allow CDOT to take on the most dire needs and possibly create jobs at a time when the state’s economy could very much use a boost. But it’s only the beginning.
Pragmatism should rule the day when it comes to this measure, and we hope legislators in both houses find a way to support its aims.
It’s just a Band-Aid, but it’s a necessary one.
