Dear Member or Prospective Member,
I am Millie Ryan, President of the Alaska Mobility Coalition.
Thank you for your membership and interest in the work of our nonprofit organization, a statewide coalition formed to promote coordinated transportation options for residents and visitors of Alaska.
This coming session in Juneau, our vigorous advocacy agenda will continue with support from our transit providers and board members and the addition of a paid lobbyist.
- Support Human Services Transportation Grant Program–$1.25 Million: We support capital funding for the Human Services Transportation Grant program. The Alaska Mental Health Trust Authority has recommended $250 K in Alaska Mental Health Trust Authority funding, matched with $1 million in state General Fund/Mental Health. These funds primarily support the transit needs of Trust beneficiaries. AMC is working with the Trust to make it easier for grantees to apply for these flexible transportation funds. The Governor has included this funding in his draft FY 25 budget and the Legislature is asked to support it.
- Transit Match Funding–$1.0 Million: Prior to FY 2018, the State put in General Fund capital dollars to help transit providers with their local match requirements for various federal transit program grants for operational support and capital equipment and facility purchases. This grant program existed for more than a decade and varied from $500,000 to $1,500,000. This state investment helped leverage more than three times as much in federal funds. During the Covid Epidemic, the federal government provided considerable extra funding, much of which did not require match, but that has changed. Now, more than ever before, the federal government is making huge investments in community and public transit systems nationwide, and Alaska can access these federal funds if they can come up with the local match. Applicants must provide matching funds in the amount of 10%, 20% and sometimes 50%, depending on the program. To ensure that our local transit providers can access all the new federal funding for community transportation, the Legislature should provide $1.0 M to transit sub-recipients to help meet local match requirements.
- Put Public and Community Transportation in Statute: The Department of Transportation and Public Facilities (DOTP&F) has many responsibilities in its enabling statute, but none deal directly with public and community transportation. Draft language for this statute change is attached. The Legislature should put public and community transportation in statute, requiring DOTP&F to report annually on progress.
These positions are supported by the membership of the Alaska Mobility Coalition (AMC), the Governor’s Council on Disabilities and Special Education (GCDSE) and the Statewide Independent Living Council (SILC).
Please continue to help us advocate for the transportation needs of Alaskans!
- Renew your membership via the enclosed invoice or online through our website: https://alaskamobility.org/about/president-message/join-online/
- Help us grow from 36 to 50 active members through your influence. Which individual and what organization are you engaged with who should support AMC?
- Join the board. We are looking for a few new board members to fill vacant seats, so if you are interested, let us know!
- Attend our annual meeting held in November.
Visit Our Updated Website
Our website is an easy read about our organization, our legislative priorities, event updates, links to active member websites, subscribing online, and more: https://alaskamobility.org/. Contact our Coordinator, Lisa Reinhart, for assistance. Her phone is 907.343.9093, email alaskamobilitycoaltion.com.
Warm regards,
Millie
Millie Ryan, President, Alaska Mobility Coalition