What's With State DOT's?

'and to the Republic for which it stands, one nation under God'..

The notion that our federal government is responsible for constituent needs and services should be revisited --particularly with respect to our national highway system. America was founded as a federal republic whereby states can devise their own laws and tax systems, determine the level and thresholds for services in accordance with the federal government. Thanks to Ike, a major source of funding for our national highway system has been the National Highway Trust Fund, started at Pres. Eisenhower's suggestion to build highways for national security.

Americans have had their own love affair with the highways with states capitalizing on the returns for their constituents: business commerce and constituent quality of life in support of the tax base.

Expecting that rural and western state DOTs are equally structured, funded, have the ability to get much needed funding and operating budgets for new or existing state highway projects as states with large urban areas and industry would be wrong. Money begets money.

Then, the matter of workforce whispered throughout government: expertise retirement of intellectual capital. Not only are staffs dwindling due to retirement and budgets, but another trend whereby in the case of DOTs, on average, an administrator cycles out of his/her position after 18 months. I try to imagine pension funds administrators would be hired if their shelf life were between 12 to 18 months. No traction, not enough time to become immersed in the challenges, resolve or field future needs, not enough time to be accountable for consequences of decisions. Yet, that is the norm for state DOTs.

As state DOTs have limited responsibility for what goes on locally, what does this mean for county and local administrators?
with are boluxed with a full complement of constituent service and administrative requirements. Some state DOTS with diminishing budgets already "transferred" state highways back to local jurisdictions --a trend in the making.
If state DOTs cannot fund or manage state highways, strategic management of resources among locals must be engaged, or not- at the expense of jobs, economic competitiveness, and national safety.

The demise of the NHF is imminent. Gas tax has not increased to replenish much less meet the increased volume and breadth of highways to support our growing population. Manufacturers wisely increasing MPG, in turn also reduce tax receipts.

While the line between public responsibilities and constituent rights is often blurred as is the hierarchy of government responsibility, prioritizing investment and maintenance of public infrastructure; remedying the loss of local government's intellectual capital, capabilities and capacity may too soon hamstring the vitality of our economy.