Is there going to be an acceptable reform to the Medicaid expansion issue this session? Hmmm… maybe. The governor’s approach this time was to not participate during the interim on a bi-partisan reform that the conservative side was wanting. Instead he brought the same offer as last session… proposing the full acceptance of the federal program. Four Medicaid bills have been voted on, the governor’s was first up and did not pass. This past Friday came the three conservative reform bills, all on the same day. All three failed on very close votes. One more is still in the works. A bill by Sen Buttrey, stating this is middle ground, taking some federal money, maintaining more state control. Will know more next week when it comes to the first committee.
A solution was presented to a packed committee room Friday. The problem that needs fixing is finding a way for the users of the paved recreational community paths to help fund the desperately needed maintenance. HB-604, presented by Rep. Greef, is hopefully that solution. Statewide there are 183 miles of paved paths built by the Dept. of Transportation in the right of ways of their highway projects over the past 20 years. These are mainly in the rural areas. Urban communities have paths and trails usually built other places than on DOT property. The critical issue of no designated funding for maintenance took a few years to unfold. In the beginning it was intended the counties and community park districts could do it. Reality turned out to be they could sweep and plow snow occasionally, but that was all. There did not exist the funding to take care of the asphalt needs. Good intentions, but no funding.
I use the Bitterroot trail a lot and have since the first seven miles were paved between Lolo and Florence in 2000. I have watched the deterioration evolving into a safety concern for all users. Their voices are the ones that gave me reason and motivation to find a solution to protect our asset. This bill is a collaboration of all parties connected with the paths. The state Dept. of Transportation, Dept. of Commerce, Dept. of Tourism, school safety advocates, health and wellness agencies and advocates, and folks from all the variety of users. The largest percentage are the walkers and joggers, then kids, moms with strollers, seniors, bikers and special needs… all with the same common need and interest. A safe place to recreate and travel away from vehicles.
The committee room smiled as they listened to Joe Stone tell about what it means to him to have a safe place to train. Joe was seated in his wheel chair, maybe in his mid 20’s, four years after a ‘daredevil’ (his words) accident left him without the use of his lower body. He is a very successful wheelchair racer and motivational speaker. He trains on the Bitterroot trail and his low racing chair profile is beginning to bottom out on some of the roots across the trail.
As I talked with users, a common comment was heard…”we want to help pay!” How, I kept thinking? A toll station wasn’t logical… Then Melinda Barnes from Bike/Walk Montana suggested looking into seeing if it could be done in a way similar to Montana State Parks by putting an opt-out option on the vehicle license renewal form for a $2 fee. Bingo! The solution was born. The Dept. of Transportation agreed to be the administrator, they helped draft the bill, lots of advocates also had input, and finally HB-604 was created. The routine cost of maintenance is $4,000 to $7,000 per mile per year. Estimating 65% participation, the fee will generate $1.3 million annually, 20% to safety and education, 80% to maintenance. DOT has the option to contract out the actual work and can only spend the amount that comes in. This pilot program will expire in 6 years which requires the legislature to re-evaluate before renewing. A legislative safety net.
Should be a win-win solution. And best of all, it gives all the users the opportunity to fund this with their $2 donation. All users, and everyone that lives in the communities, except kids and out of state folks, have in common that they own vehicles. This becomes the optional toll booth, keeping into perpetuity the safe paved paths, away from vehicles.
Rep. Ed Greef, HD 88
Florence