Purchase construction materials as early as possible in a project to avoid inflation. Make sure public transit is operating at a cost per passenger comparable to similarly-sized agencies elsewhere. Most of the suggestions go deeper, providing innovative ideas to build, pay for and maintain the state's transportation system. Among them is the option to create new regional government agencies to oversee and fund transportation improvements in urban areas. Another is managed competition - having private companies bid against public agencies for operations and maintenance work.
Some recommendations are sure to raise a few eyebrows.
The commission says the state should get rid of studded tires - even the new lightweight ones that the Legislature mandated last year. It also suggests the state recover the motor vehicle excise tax eliminated by Initiative 695 last year by charging heavy trucks higher fees. The public told the commission to be bold. Now the commission wants to know if it has gone far enough. It needs public input before Oct. 1, so it can revise its report in time to submit a final draft to the governor and Legislature by December.