The Mid-Willamette Valley Council of Governments (MWVCOG) and Lane Council of Governments (LCOG) are preparing possible policy agendas for the upcoming 2019 Legislative Session. The Policy Committee for the Salem-Keizer Active Transportation Study (SKATS), also the designated Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) for the area, met today to discuss next steps for the Mid-Willamette Valley region.

During the SKATS Policy Committee's discussion, they reviewed concepts proposed by the Central Lane MPO, which largely prioritize a multimodal transportation system to accommodate all users in the community. Among Central Lane's proposals are concepts for prioritizing safety and universal access, transit funding and a transit youth pass, increased investment in Safe Routes to School programs, bicycle/pedestrian improvements, and a legislative fix to the local cash match requirement for the Safe Routes to School Infrastructure Grant Program. We submitted comments and asked the SKATS Policy Committee to carefully consider supporting Central Lane's priorities, which would support the region’s safety, congestion and health priorities. 

Between now and their next meeting, the SKATS Policy Committee is tasked with considering concepts the MWVCOG could collaborate with other MPO's in the state going forward, and setting legislative priorities specific to the region. The SKATS Policy Committee will meet again on September 25th to make their formal recommendations, and the MWVCOG Board of Directors will meet on October 16, 2018 to determine its agenda and policy submissions for the 2019 Legislative Session.

What ideas do you have? The Mid-Willamette Valley Council of Governments wants to hear from you! Follow this link and submit your idea today.

Related Files:

- Initial comments submitted by the Safe Routes Partnership. 

- SKATS Policy Committee Agenda for 8/28/18 meeting (Agenda Item F - Legislative Priorities).