Posted by Phil Lee (216.250.238.61) on April 02, 2002 at 08:14:
Bill was hardly
`developer's dream'
The writer of the letter criticizing me for co-sponsoring HB 1034, the Public-Private Transportation Act of 2002, (``Delegate supports `developer's dream'," The Journal, March 22) is a candidate for the House of Delegates who repeatedly has stated that he wants to unseat me.
That said, the letter contains errors concerning this bill, which would authorize state or local governments to enter into public-private partnerships to build, improve or operate transportation facilities.
The state is facing a $27 billion shortfall in transportation funding, and we need to find ways to fill that gap. Contrary to the assertion that the bill ``diminishes the county's ability to govern itself,'' HB 1034 provided for local governments, such as the county, to enter into agreements with private parties to create transportation resources - including transit facilities, as well as airports, ports and highways. The bill also mandated a termination date for a private entity's participation in the facility.
The bill required entities to first obtain all approvals from local jurisdictions before proceeding. If it is a state project, input from local jurisdictions on the project's compatibility with local comprehensive plans (i.e., the master plan) is mandated. Projects this bill might have helped included an extension of Metro service and construction of a transit maintenance facility.
In short, the author of the letter should learn to read bills instead of relying on hearsay analysis by single-interest groups. In Annapolis, getting only one side of an issue is an easy trap to fall into.
Rather than a ``developer's dream,'' HB 1034 was an attempt to open the dialogue on another means to create public-private partnerships to supplement shortfalls in state or local revenue for transportation projects. That is why I was one of the bill's 47 co-sponsors.
CAROL S. PETZOLD
Rockville
Democrat, 19th District
House of Delegates