Today Dr. Dan addressed the Kentuckians for Better Transportation (KBT) at their conference in Frankfort. Read his full speech below. Video coming soon!

 Remarks as prepared for delivery by Lt. Governor and U.S. Senate Candidate Daniel Mongiardo for the Kentuckians for Better Transportation Conference

Let me begin by expressing my sincere appreciation to Kentuckians for Better Transportation. Your leadership on this vital issue - leadership that spans decades - has touched the lives and the economic fortunes of all Kentuckians.

Your organization provides a wealth of information and objective analysis for anyone interested in learning more about transportation in Kentucky ... always prepared whenever called upon ... without regard to political party or ideology.

I cannot speak today without first thanking Jack Fish for his 32 years of service as KBT's president and leader. I wish him well.

I also want to congratulate Stan Lampe as he steps forward to provide KBT with new leadership during what everyone acknowledges are the most difficult economic and budgetary times in our nation ... and here in our Commonwealth.

When it comes to transportation policy -- I consider the KBT a valuable resource of information and constructive insight. When I am elected to the U.S. Senate, when it comes to transportation issues - you can count on this ... KBT will be on my speed dial.

So let's talk a little policy.

Like you - Kentuckians all across our Commonwealth are struggling to make ends meet. With unemployment in double digits, families are losing their jobs, their homes - and many are drowning in debt.

Businesses - small and large - are struggling just trying to hang on until this economy finally turns around.

If there is one priority for Kentucky's next United States Senator - it must be to help get our economy moving again.

We can talk all we want about reforming health care and improving education, foreign policy and soaring deficits - but without a working economy - a strong economy that is attracting investment and creating jobs so that working men and women can provide their families and children with a better future ... that's all it is ... talk.

The number one priority for Kentucky's next Senator - in my opinion - is very simple: jobs, jobs, jobs.

When I am elected to the U.S. Senate, there are three committees I am most interested in serving on - three committees that ... I believe ... can impact Kentucky's economy the most --- Health care ... Energy ... and Transportation.

These may not be the most glamorous ... high profile ... committee assignments. But in this economy - in these difficult times ... the people of Kentucky ... those of you in this room ... need a Senator who will be a work horse ... not a show horse.

Healthcare, Energy and Transportation - these are the ‘meat and potato' committees ... the three areas or segments of our economy which hold the most promise to get Kentucky's economy moving and put people back to work.

I passionately believe that for Kentucky to realize its economic potential ... transportation is the one critical component necessary to achieve success.

Without the physical infrastructure to transport products and people efficiently and safely, we are just spinning our wheels.

Transportation is the vital link that connects our economy and jobs with our people.

There are five core sectors that make up Kentucky's transportation system:

• Public Transit
• Rail
• Air
• Waterways -and last but certainly not least...
• Roads and Bridges

Let me touch on each component or mode of transportation.

First - Public transit.

Last month, I stood inside Louisville's old Union Station and offered a specific plan to create a 21st century public transportation system for Kentucky.

Investing in public transportation is one of the single greatest investments we can make to spur economic growth, attract new industries and create new jobs.

Economic studies indicate that one billion dollars invested in public transportation ... creates and sustains more than 36,000 jobs.

Each dollar invested in public transportation equals four dollars in economic benefits.

For properties located near a transfer point -- property values are 25% higher.

As you all know, The Federal Highway Trust Fund is split into two accounts - a Highway Account and a Transit Account.

In 2007, Kentucky sent 87 million dollars to the federal highway Transit Account ... but we only received 20 million dollars back for transportation - a paltry 23% return.

In contrast, we saw a return of about 93% of OUR Highway Account dollars.

Two of the biggest reasons why we get so few of our tax dollars back when it comes to the Federal Transit Account are very simple.

First, other than a handful of public bus systems - we don't have any plans for an integrated public transit system here in Kentucky.

Second, we don't have leadership in Washington willing to make public transportation a priority . . . a senator who will champion this issue.

As Kentucky's next United States Senator, I will work tirelessly to lead an effort in Washington and here at home to return to Kentucky more of our Transit Account tax dollars so we can invest in a 21st century, integrated, multi-modal public transportation system ... and so we can begin to realize those economic benefits that go along with this kind of infrastructure investment.

If we got just 70 cents back for every dollar our citizens pay into the Federal Public Transit Account - an amount less than what we currently get back from the Highway Account - it would go a long way toward paying for the initial investment in planning, designing and developing an integrated public transit system in Kentucky's largest cities.

In my view ... those states and cities that plan for ... prepare for ... and are actively engaged in developing fully integrated, multi-modal transit systems for the 21st century will reap the economic benefits ... grow jobs at a faster pace, expand economic opportunities and enjoy a higher standard of living than those states and cities that do not.

When I presented my vision for an integrated, multi-modal public transit system in Louisville last month ... I explained in detail what that would look like.

I don't have the time to get into all of the details - but I have brought with me a few copies of my presentation and will be happy to make it available to any KBT member that would like a copy.

In short - my vision of a 21st century public transit system in Kentucky would include a multi-modal, integrated system that serves our largest urban centers - Louisville, Lexington and Northern Kentucky.

An integrated multi-modal system includes passenger rail, expanded bus service - and park and ride locations strategically located to serve both urban and suburban commuters.

In Louisville and Northern Kentucky - it would include a rapid access monorail system.

In Louisville -- the mono rail system would extend 6 to 8 miles ... connecting Standiford Field to the city's urban core and the west end - a distance of approximately 6 to 8 miles. In Northern Kentucky - it would cover a much shorter distance perhaps two miles -- connecting Northern Kentucky to downtown Cincinnati.

The hybrid-diesel passenger rail part of this integrated, public transit system would connect not only Lexington, Louisville and Northern Kentucky - but connect Kentucky's more rural cities with our larger population centers.

Let me shift gears now and talk about Rail transportation.

Rail is experiencing a renaissance in the United States - and rightly so. It is one of the most energy efficient and environmentally friendly modes of transportation.

Let's start with high speed rail. And let me say ... when I use the term high speed rail ... I am not talking about bullet trains in Europe or Japan.

Because of the immense distance between America's population centers such high speed rail is far too expensive. The general consensus here in the United States - in most cases - means train speeds of 110 to 160 miles per hour.

Currently there is a preliminary high-speed rail plan for the United States . . . But Kentucky is not a part of it.

There are only two access points that connect Kentucky to the proposed national high speed rail grid - Louisville and Cincinnati.

I am concerned that if Kentucky is left out of our nation's high-speed rail plan ... future generations will suffer the economic consequences.

Turn back the clock to the 1950s when we were just beginning to develop our nation's federal interstate highway system and imagine ... what would Kentucky's economy look like today if ... I-65 ended in Louisville ...I-75 ended in Cincinnati and that was it? I-64 ended in Ashland?

Nothing else.

To me - it is a no brainer - Kentucky must be included in any national, high speed rail grid and in the United States Senate, that's exactly what I will work to do.

With the right leadership and commitment by our next Senator, there is no reason why we can't or why we shouldn't be included. After all, we are blessed to live in a state that is geographically centered to the major urban population centers from North to South ... and East to West.

Moving from a national perspective to a Kentucky's specific perspective . . . Kentucky has both short-haul and long-haul rail companies.

We must work in partnership with all of our rail companies, particularly if we are going to have any chance of extending passenger rail service into rural areas of our Commonwealth as a part of an integrated, multi-modal public transit system.

For example, there are seven rail lines serving Louisville, to make commuter rail service a reality, we must work with these companies to resolve fundamental issues like access and liability. The same applies to short and long-haul rail companies with lines located in other regions of Kentucky.

It won't be easy. Resolving liability issues are perhaps the biggest challenges that we must overcome. But I believe it is doable and with the right leadership ... working in partnership with these rail companies and demonstrating a real commitment to rail transportation, we will overcome these challenges.

Before addressing highways and bridges ... allow me to touch on the third and fourth modes of transportation - air and waterways.

Quality, accessible air service is critical to Kentucky's economy in three distinct ways:

• Convincing companies to locate either their national or a regional office in Kentucky;
• Shipping and receiving parts and materials; and,
• Most obviously - providing a safe and efficient mode of transportation

While we must continue working to expand and improve air service in Louisville, Lexington and Northern Kentucky, we must also work hard to expand and improve air service to other cities like Paducah, Owensboro, Bowling Green and Somerset - providing ALL Kentuckians with convenient and safe air transportation.

Use of Kentucky's waterways is an incredibly energy efficient way of transporting goods and raw materials.

Kentucky's barge line industry may be under appreciated and under valued by some... but in my opinion ... it is a diamond in the rough that provides huge potential for economic growth and job creation.

We are blessed to have the Ohio and Mississippi Rivers on our border - along with the Tennessee and Cumberland ... no other state has what we have.

But as our lock system on the Ohio River ages and as other locks and dams on river-ways throughout Kentucky deteriorate ... it is imperative that we adequately fund preventative maintenance and replacement needs.

I understand how vital Kentucky's barge industry is to our over all transportation network and economy. In the U.S Senate - I will work closely with our marine industry to ensure that we stay ahead of the funding curve when it comes to maintaining and improving our waterway system in Kentucky.

The fifth and final mode of transportation is the biggest - Roads and Bridges.

Roads and bridges are the final link in a truly integrated, multi-modal transportation system. They tie our airports, railways, waterways and public transit systems all together in one cohesive piece.

Kentucky has nearly 80,000 miles of interstates, parkways, highways, roads and streets ... and we have some 14,000 bridges ... not one mile or one bridge can be over looked.

Kentucky's needs are tremendous - and in this economy - funding is more than inadequate.

From mega-projects like the downtown and east end bridges, and redesign of Spaghetti Junction in Louisville ...

• a new bridge across the Ohio in Northern Kentucky
• completing I-69 in Western Kentucky that requires a new bridge across the Ohio in Henderson
• finishing 68-80 across southern Kentucky that requires two bridges across the lakes in the Jackson Purchase

Our needs are many. This short list doesn't include worthy projects like a limited access highway cut-through from I-75 in Madison County to Nicholasville ... completing highway 119 and 460 in eastern Kentucky, completion of four-laning the Mountain Parkway and Highway 15 and upgrading Highway 60 along the Ohio from Henderson to Paducah ... And the list goes on. All of this doesn't even include regular maintenance.

It will not be easy. It will take time. But, as Kentucky's next United States Senator - if we work smart, think creatively and remain vigilant ... and reach across party lines and work with our colleagues from the other side of the aisle - I know we can accomplish all of the objectives and more.

Let me give you one quick example of thinking creatively -

Kentucky is eligible to receive more than $225 million in Appalachian Development Highway funding to complete the construction of Route 119 in Letcher County and US 460 in Pike County --- but Kentucky must come up with $40 million in matching funds in order to be eligible to access the Federal funding.

The money is there - we just need to access it. As Senator, I will propose legislation to allow Kentucky to use ‘toll credits' to access this fund - as we currently do for matching money on many other federal highway funding projects.

All of these projects I've talked about today are important. There's no escaping the fact that access to a four-lane highway means per capita incomes are 56% higher. Highways, bridges, public transit -- these are all vital to our economic recovery and our economic future.

In closing, transportation will be one of my top priorities, you can count on me to be a CHAMPION who is always accessible and works closely with the KBT and its members on meeting ALL of Kentucky's transportation needs.

Once again - I appreciate this opportunity and I'll be happy to meet with any of you to answer any questions you may have. Thank you very much.