What is an MPO? What is it NOT. Is it constitutional?
Let’s start with this statement on what an MPO is. (source Wikipedia)
A metropolitan planning organization (MPO) is a federally mandated and federally funded transportation policy-making organization in the United States that is made up of representatives from local government and governmental transportation authorities. They were created to ensure regional cooperation in transportation planning.[1] MPOs were introduced by the Federal-Aid Highway Act of 1962, which required the formation of an MPO for any urbanized area (UZA) with a population greater than 50,000.
Let’s stress a point. MPO’s are created for planning of our Roads and Bridges. Nothing more…. NOT Social engineering (eNEO2050), not water quality planning, not air quality planning, NOT Climate Change planning.
There is a question about the constitutionality of an MPO. The Constitution lays our enumerated rights for the federal government. That is, THINGS that the federal government is allowed to be involved with and ALL other things are reserved to the states. MPO’s are NOT included in these enumerated rights in the Constitution. Each elected official raises their hands and says an oath to uphold and defend the constitution. There are key principles in the constitution that deserve defending like “all men are created equal.” That principle is in direct conflict with “EQUITY”, which is being pushed by the federal government and local urban organizations like NOACA.
So to make a point. If MPO’s are needed (this author thinks they are not) then they should stay in their lane. “Roads and Bridges.” Most MPO’s do focus on the charter issues, however, organizations like NOACA do NOT. NOACA is engaging in social engineering which is clearly NOT within their charter an is harmful to the region.
Here is a link to one effort that NOACA is engaged in that is not within their authority, and yet they act outside of their charter.