the truth about pa's transportaiton funding in 2014, by bob latham

Pennsylvania 2013Transportation Funding Campaign

Starting Line

Last gas tax passed in 1997. $500 million in highway monies flexed to

fund mass transit. Act 44 – Failed attempt to toll I-80. Proposals to sell/lease the PA Turnpike. Governor who ran on no-tax pledge. Republican control of both Houses of the

legislature with considerable TEA Party influence.

Strategy Development

Develop Strategic Clarity

Strategic Clarity Messaging Research Problem Framing Building Knowledge Capital Thought Leadership Issues Management Brand Differentiation Outreach & Engagement Stakeholder Loyalty

Assess Internals

Leadership Staffing Funding Public Affairs Communications Technology

Recruit Industry Leadership

Jamie Van Buren

Mike Ryan

Rich Wagman

Dan HawbakerTom Lawson

Secure Funding

APC Educational Trust Fund

Highway Education Foundation

PHIA TCI-PAC

Build Your Team – Fill Needs

Strategy

Public Relations

Outreach

Lobbying

Assess Politics

Understand the Public

Survey Research

Market Research

Organize Information

Determine Your Ask

2010 study commission identified $3.5 billion per year funding gap

2011 Governor’s Commission identified $2.5 billion in funding opportunities

Metrics – What Will it Cost Me?

Make Metrics Widely Available

Recruit Broad Based Support

What is Your Brand?

Seize Every Opportunity

Lessons Learned

State your ask clearly and stick to it. Actively mold the political environment you need

to be successful. Develop and use information strategically. Constantly assess new information and its impact

on your strategy. Build the biggest tent you can. There is no substitute for active and engaged

leadership. Manage resources and expectations carefully. www.pahighwayinfo.org

Pennsylvania 2014

“It Ain’t Over”

2014 Advocacy

Reinforce the value of Act 89 Primary Elections – Yes Votes Messaging and Campaign Support Messaging: Safety and Economic Prosperity Polling: Public Acceptance of the Need Demonstrate Support to Congress www.pahighwayinfo.org

Public perceptions

of transportation

fundingMay 2014

Methodology N=800 Sampling error +3.5% Feb. 10-20, 2014 Terry Madonna Opinion Research Survey Technology & Research, Allentown Registered voters, from statewide voter lists Weighted for gender, religion Previous data presented for context rather than

statistical comparison

How important do you think it is for the state of Pennsylvania to improve safety and relieve congestion on our highways; is it very important, somewhat important, not very important or not important at all?

2014 2013 2012 2011 2010 2009

Very important 74% 60% 31% 65% 73% 50%

Somewhat important 22% 32% 60% 27% 23% 42%

Not very important 2% 4% 7% 6% 3% 6%

Not at all important 1% 1% 1% 1% 1% 2%

Please tell me whether you agree or disagree with the following statements… Is that strongly or somewhat [agree/disagree]:

Year Strongly Agree

Somewhat Agree

Somewhat Disagree

Strongly Disagree

Increasing the investment in our highway system will create jobs and help our economy recover.

20142013201120102009

55%44%41%43%35%

29%38%39%42%41%

6%10%13%10%14%

8%4%7%3%9%

Relieving congestion and improving the condition of our highways would improve public safety.

20142013201120102009

71%45%50%57%51%

24%45%40%36%38%

2%5%8%5%7%

2%2%3%1%4%

The state’s economic health is dependant on having a good highway system.

20142013201120102009

57%41%33%37%24%

29%46%42%39%44%

8%8%

19%16%19%

5%2%4%6%

11%

Have you read or heard that Pennsylvania recently enacted a comprehensive transportation funding plan?

Yes 40%

No 59%

Don’t know 1%

(2013 question) One funding plan would cost about $3.50 per week for a typical Pennsylvania driver. Do you think $3.50 per week is a reasonable investment to make for improved safety and reduced congestion?

(If no) Do you think $2.50 per week is a reasonable investment to make for improved safety and reduced congestion?

Total of those who believe at least $2.50 per week per driver is reasonable:

$3.50 41%

$2.50 59%*

*Cumulative

If you knew that the funding plan would create more than 50,000 jobs in Pennsylvania, mostly in industries other than highway construction, would you be much more likely, somewhat more likely, or no more likely to support the plan?

Much more likely 12%

Somewhat more likely 44%

No more likely 39%

If you knew that new highway and bridge spending would be used to improve the roads and bridges in and around your community, would you be much more likely, somewhat more likely, or no more likely to support the plan?

Much more likely 15%

Somewhat more likely 42%

No more likely 40%

Conclusions Low awareness – transportation an unlikely campaign issue unless

candidates make it an issue. Support for investment remain strong. Willingness to pay $2.50 per

week has been consistently near 60 percent in multiple polls over several years.

‘Safety,’ ‘congestion relief’ and, ‘jobs’ continue to be the most effective messages for framing this issue.

Incumbents need to stress benefits of the Act 89 rather than falling into the trap of defending the cost or the method for raising the revenue. Pointing out specific safety and congestion-relief projects in their own regions would help also.