RTAC warns of federal funding uncertainty; urges local coordination with legislators

Mr. Adam, joining remotely as the RTAC representative, gave the board a legislative and federal funding update and urged local coordination with state legislators.

He described RTAC’s role as an educational and advocacy tool that builds momentum for transportation investment and said that priority project lists rarely pass on their own but influence budgeting and appropriations. He raised concerns about the federal budget and possible cuts that could affect state revenues, and he urged maintaining existing federal funding levels.

On formula funding, Mr. Adam said the distribution formulas have not been updated with current population data since 2009 and estimated that "if we had been using current data, Arizona would have received about 200,000,000 more this year." He also discussed the SMART program, noting about 50 awards and roughly $60 million provided historically, and a remaining balance of about $14.5 million; he said awards average roughly $33 million per year and that the current balance would be exhausted within about half a year without additional appropriation.

Board members asked for clarification about the federal agenda RTAC submitted; Mr. Adam said RTAC’s response seeks to maintain funding levels, update formulas, and direct more resources to rural safety and transit. He also pledged to share RTAC’s federal agenda materials with the board.

Next steps: RTAC will continue advocacy; local officials were encouraged to coordinate with legislators about which projects they can realistically support.