Transportation funding will be the topic of the last in a series of six dialogues held by the Leonard Transportation Center at Cal State San Bernardino on topics relevant to the future of transportation in the Inland Empire. The series is open to the public and sponsored by HNTB Corporation, an infrastructure solutions firm. The program, the last for this year, will take place at 7:30 a.m. Tuesday, Nov. 13, at the Loma Linda University San Manuel Gateway College, right off the 215 freeway in San Bernardino. In this session, titled “The Future of Transportation Funding – Gas Tax, Per Mile Fees and Other Ideas,” attendees will hear from noted transportation funding experts and advocates, including: 

  • Will Kempton, statewide expert on transportation finance, former executive director of the California Transportation Commission and former Caltrans director;
  • Jim Madaffer, president and CEO, Madaffer Enterprises, Inc., and commissioner, California Transportation Commission; and
  • Asha Weinstein Agrawal, Ph.D., director and professor, San Jose State University Mineta Transportation Institute, National Transportation Finance Center. 

 Following the presentations, attendees will engage in a discussion with an opportunity to share their concerns and ideas with transportation professionals, policy makers and each other. Transportation experts from HNTB will facilitate this discussion and will bring their experience and expertise to benefit the dialogue. Traditionally, motor fuel taxes have been the primary source of funding for transportation projects in California and throughout the U.S. In 2017, the California legislature approved Senate Bill 1, the first motor fuel tax increase in California in 23 years. SB1 will provide an additional $54 billion for both state and local transportation projects statewide. However, Proposition 6 on the November ballot threatens to repeal SB1 and eliminate this boost to transportation funding. Regardless of recent increases, long term failure to increase fuel taxes to keep pace with inflation, increased vehicle fuel economy, and an increase in electric and alternative fuel vehicles that pay no fuel taxes have dramatically reduced the ability of fuel taxes to keep pace with demand for transportation funding. California has led the nation in implementing alternative funding mechanisms for transportation. Twenty-four of California’s 58 counties, representing 88 percent of California’s population, have enacted local tax measures to help fund transportation projects. In addition to local tax measures, the nine Bay Area counties have voted to enact bridge toll surcharges to fund regional transportation improvements. In 2017, California completed the largest pilot study ever conducted of road user charging or mileage-based user fees, where motorists pay a per-mile fee regardless of fuel consumption.  In this session, we will discuss where we go from here. What is the future of transportation funding in California? What if SB1 is repealed? Come hear state and local experts discuss where we go from here to find new and innovative ways to fund our transportation needs in the Inland Empire and beyond.  IMPORTANT:  This final Regional Mobility Dialogue takes place after the Nov. 6 election. Come hear our speakers’ thoughts on what the election results mean for transportation funding in the Inland Empire, Southern California and the entire state.     As part of CSUSB, the Leonard Transportation Center is interested in bringing people together to provide the facts, discuss the major issues, and work to resolve them. The center is committed to the notion that finding solutions to the mobility challenges in Southern California is much more likely when people from different walks of life are engaged in the conversations. Kimberly Collins, LTC executive director, said, “We invite anyone interested in being part of the conversation and solution to join us for this innovative and engaging series.” The cost for the series is $30 per session. Registration fees cover a continental breakfast and conference materials. Parking is free. Attendance is limited to the first 50 registrants, so early registration is recommended. To register, visit the Mobility Dialogue Series webpage. About Leonard Transportation CenterThe Leonard Transportation Center (LTC) at California State University, San Bernardino opened in 2006 with a focus on regional transportation needs. The vision of Bill and Barbara Leonard was to create a center that focuses on the unique transportation opportunities and challenges the Inland Empire faces. Today, the LTC is working to expand its research and student engagement programs. Focal points include transportation management and governance issues, development of new technologies, and transnational studies. Their vision is to work collaboratively to seek solutions to assist residents, businesses, government and nonprofit agencies, and international partners to work together on improving sustainability and quality of life in the Inland Empire. Visit the William and Barbara Leonard Transportation Center website at csusb.edu/ltc for more information on its programs. About HNTB HNTB Corporation is an employee-owned infrastructure solutions firm serving public and private owners and contractors. HNTB’s work in California dates back to its founding in 1914. Today, HNTB continues to grow in size and service offerings to clients in California from seven office locations, currently employing more than 350 full-time professionals. With more than a century of service, HNTB understands the life cycle of infrastructure and addresses clients’ most complex technical, financial and operational challenges. Professionals nationwide deliver a full range of infrastructure-related services, including award-winning planning, design, program management and construction management. Visit the HNTB website at hntb.com for more information.For more information on Cal State San Bernardino, contact the university’s Office of Strategic Communication at (909) 537-5007 and visit inside.csusb.edu.