TITLE
RESOLUTION URGING THE OBAMA ADMINISTRATION AND CONGRESS TO RETHINK THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT�S APPROACH TO FUNDING TRANSIT AND TAKE A NEW APPROACH THAT HAS THE GOAL OF FACILITATING THE EXPANSION OF MASS TRANSIT IN THE INTEREST OF THE ENVIRONMENT, IMPROVED ECONOMIC EFFICIENCY THROUGH REDUCED TRAFFIC CONGESTION, AND LOWER RELIANCE ON FOREIGN OIL

BODY
WHEREAS, part of the Obama Administration�s economic stimulus package consists of major investments in �green infrastructure�, including investment in a nationwide network that could deliver renewable energy across the U.S. on a truly national electric grid; and
WHEREAS, the Obama Administration and Congress should take a similarly visionary and forward-looking approach to mass transit; and
WHEREAS, since 1998, federal law has prohibited transit systems in urbanized areas from using federal formula transit funds for operating expenses; and
WHEREAS, this prohibition presents an almost insurmountable obstacle to any substantial expansion of urban transit systems, despite increases in ridership and renewed interest among the public in using mass transit; and
WHEREAS, a new, innovative and forward-looking approach to transit is needed at the federal level, similar to the approach the Obama Administration is taking with �green infrastructure� and a national renewable energy grid; and
WHEREAS, such a new approach to federal transit funding should encourage mass transit systems to expand, and encourage people to use mass transit, rather than cars and trucks; and
WHEREAS, a new national commitment to expanding transit would improve the environment, reduce traffic congestion, recover economic value currently lost as a result of traffic congestion, and reduce the U.S. dependency on fossil fuels and foreign oil; and
WHEREAS, Congress is planning to reauthorize the federal surface transportation spending act, the Safe, Accountable, Flexible, Efficient Transportation Equity Act: a Legacy for Users (SAFETEA-LU) in 2009; and
WHEREAS, the Obama Administration and Congress should take advantage of the 2009 reauthorization of SAFETEA-LU to rethink the federal government�s overall approach to transit funding and take a new approach that provides the federal funding commitment necessary to encourage transit systems to expand and to facilitate increased use of transit systems,
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS OF MIAMI-DADE COUNTY, FLORIDA, that this Board:
Section 1. Urges the Obama Administration and Congress to rethink the federal government�s approach to transit funding and take a new approach that has the goal of facilitating the expansion of mass transit in the interest of the environment, improved economic efficiency through reduced traffic congestion and lower reliance on foreign oil.
Section 2. Urges Congress, as a key part of taking a new approach to transit funding, to lift the current prohibition on using federal formula transit funding for operations to facilitate the expansion of mass transit.
Section 3. Directs the Clerk of the Board to transmit a certified copy of this resolution to the members of the Florida Congressional Delegation, the U.S. Secretary of Transportation and the Presiding Officer and Members of the boards of transit agencies that serve urbanized areas with populations of 200,000 or more.
Section 4. Directs the County's federal lobbying team to advocate for the legislation set forth in Sections 1 and 2 above, and authorizes and directs that the 2009 Federal Legislative Package be amended to include this item.