REP. MARY KASTEN MEETS WITH TASK FORCE ON TRANSPORTATION

State Rep. Mary Kasten of Cape Girardeau recently participated in another in a series of meetings by a national task force reviewing issues related to transportation.

Kasten has served on the task force for several years, which is sponsored by the American Legislative Exchange. The most recent meeting was in Washington, D.C., and the panel will meet again in August when the exchange holds its annual meeting in Michigan.

"The American Legislative Exchange is made up of several task forces that deal with a variety of pressing issues, and that is where the work is done," explained Kasten. "This particular task force that I am serving on has the opportunity to influence what is done in transportation all over the country.

"The intent of my task force is trying to increase the awareness of intermodal transportation. I am very supportive of the fact we are trying to work toward a direction of encouraging intermodal centers."

The purpose of the exchange task force is to formulate model legislation that can be considered by state legislatures across the country.

Kasten explained that model legislation prepared by the exchange will help to increase efficiency and effectiveness.

"One of the most important things in this effort is to try and be more consistent across state lines. For example, the trucking industry has conflicting regulations that cause some confusion," said Kasten. "In transportation we have got to break down some of those barriers so the whole system works better.

"It is an effort to try and work more closely together, and we are seeing that happening more throughout government," said Kasten. "We have got to coordinate and collaborate between agencies and different entities."

At this task force meeting, and others she has attended, Kasten said she has learned a great deal, both from the discussion and from the briefings provided by administration officials and members of the Congress.

"I am pleased to be a part of this because the committee is on the forefront of helping to build up infrastructure and more efficient legislation," said Kasten. "We have a system of interstates pretty much put together, but now we need to take a look at secondary roads and ways to more effectively network and tie people together. That means more efficient use of transportation facilities that will help us in economic development."

Kasten said she also appreciates the American Legislative Exchange's focus on getting input from the private sector. Representatives of the private sector serve on task forces to provide input.

"They give us a very practical perspective," said Kasten. "One of the objectives of our organization is to try and privatize and get government out of more areas. I feel that is a philosophy that really works."