Our Purpose
Missourians for Transportation Investment (MFTI) promotes adequate and sustainable investment in, and improvement of, the transportation system for Missouri citizens.
Legislative Planning Retreat
Each year, the Board of Directors appoints MFTI members to serve on the Policy Council. The Policy Council meets in the 4th quarter of each year to draft a legislative agenda for the next legislative session. That agenda is reviewed/revised/adopted by the Board of Directors.
2024 Legislative Priorities
Interstate Funding
Missourians for Transportation Investment supports further investments of General Revenue to continue the commitment to rehabilitate and expand Interstate 70 across the state of Missouri. We recommend the expansion take place in the median as much as possible to lessen the impact on private property.
Missourians for Transportation Investment supports utilizing existing state surplus revenues, general revenues, and financing to expedite needed improvements to Interstate 44 including expansion across the state. We recommend the expansion take place in the median as much as possible to lessen the impact on private property.
Transportation Revenues
Missourians for Transportation Investment supports the continued implementation of current state motor fuel tax law to make Missouri roads safer, reduce congestion, and make the movement of freight more efficient in, through, and out of Missouri.
Missourians for Transportation Investment recommends that the General Assembly, MODOT and other state agencies work together to establish a policy through which declining transportation revenue sources are replenished.
Low-volume Roads
Missourians for Transportation Investment supports increased safety and quality investments in Missouri’s low-volume rural roads, which provide important farm-to market routes in support of Missouri agriculture.
Public Transportation
Missourians for Transportation Investment supports an $11.7 million funding request, which includes $10 million from General Revenue and $1.7 million from the State Transportation Fund, to be divided among the state’s transit providers.
Ports & Waterways
Missourians for Transportation Investment supports a $16.8 million investment from General Revenue for projects identified by the Missouri Port Authority Association FY25 Capitol Improvement Project List. Furthermore, we support an appropriation of $700,000 for Port Administrative Funds and $300,000 for preliminary engineering at Missouri ports.
Missourians for Transportation Investment supports investment in the Lower Missouri River Bank Stabilization and Navigation Project (BSNP) Feasibility Study. This investment will serve as a non-federal match for the study, which will influence Congressional authorization to improve navigation on the Missouri River.
Safety
Missourians for Transportation investment supports a $50 million investment for rail crossing safety improvements to provide greater safety measures at many of Missouri’s rail and highway crossings and to increase the number of crossings with active warning devices.
Missourians for Transportation Investment supports legislation that would require a mandatory minimum fine of $1000 for endangerment of a highway worker, $5000 for aggravated endangerment of a highway worker if a worker is injured, and $10,000 if a worker is killed. The proposal also ensures that striking a truck- or trailer-mounted attenuator (TMA) constitutes endangerment of a highway worker.
Legislative Days in the Capitol
MFTI holds one Legislative Day in the Capitol each month during legislative session. Participants attend a brief orientation where they are provided with talking points and handouts to share with their state representatives and state senators. MFTI schedules meetings with legislative and executive branch leaders during each of these days.
Advocacy
MFTI facilitates weekly calls during the legislative session to provide a forum for lobbyists and association executives who are supportive of adequate and sustainable transportation investment to collaborate. MFTI regularly visits with elected officials in the capitol to discuss important transportation priorities.
Legislative Updates
MFTI provides weekly legislative update emails to its members during the legislative session. These updates include information on transportation investment bills and identify opportunities for members to demonstrate their support for transportation investment by testifying at public hearings and/or contacting their state representatives and state senators.
Site Visits
MFTI provides planning/logistics assistance to members who would like to schedule plant/project tours with their state representatives and state senators. These tours strengthen the relationship between members and their elected officials and provide educational opportunities for elected officials.
Presentations
MFTI provides presentations to groups interested in gaining a better understanding of the need for adequate and sustainable transportation investment. If your group would like to schedule a speaker, contact info@mfti.org.
Candidate Surveys
Each election cycle, MFTI invites candidates to participate in a survey on transportation investment issues. The survey serves dual purposes; to educate candidates on transportation investment needs, and to determine candidates’ level of support for transportation investment.