Officials’ Priorities For TEA 21 Reauthorization

Outlined At Congressional Hearing

Washington, D.C. - State and local officials at a Congressional hearing today spoke in favor of restoring highway and transit funding cuts proposed in the Administration’s fiscal year 2003 budget proposal.

Governor Paul Patton of Kentucky, Vice-Chairman of the National Governors Association, Mayor Kenneth Barr of Forth Worth, Texas, Chairman of the U.S. Conference of Mayors’ Transportation Committee, and other local elected officials testified before the U.S. House Subcommittee on Highways and Transit about their priorities for next year’s reauthorization of the Transportation Equity Act for the 21^st Century (TEA 21). Witnesses also offered support for H.R. 3694, The Highway Funding Restoration Act, which will restore a minimum of $4.4 billion in proposed highway funding cuts.

Chairman Petri Cites Growing Support For Highway Funding Legislation

“The support among Members of Congress for the Highway Funding Restoration Act is now overwhelming,” said U.S. Rep. Tom Petri (R-WI), Chairman of Highways and Transit Subcommittee. “We have 265 cosponsors in the House and every day we add more. The bipartisan leadership of the Senate Budget Committee has now issued statements in support of restoring highway funding in the budget. We are also meeting with the House Budget Committee and hope to have their official support for restoration of highway funds very soon.”

“Nothing Could Be More Essential To Meaningful Economic Recovery”

– Governor Patton

“Timing is vital,” said Governor Patton of Congressional efforts to pass H.R. 3694. “Nothing could be more essential to meaningful economic recovery.”

Patton stated that Congress must keep in mind the project planning process employed by most states. “I know that the federal fiscal year doesn’t begin until October 1, but Kentucky, and I believe most other states, begin planning their state and federal highway construction program about this time of year,” said Patton. “If states have to absorb a 27 percent cut in federally funded highway construction next year, they will begin reducing expenditures in July of this year or even before. The lack of rapid action by the Congress on this subject will mean a dramatic reduction in spending in a critical sector of our economy.”

Other witnesses predicted similar results if the Administration’s proposed cuts were to be enacted.

“The impact of such a cut will be devastating to state and local transportation programs and the economy,” said Mayor Barr. “A cut of this magnitude would result in the loss of hundreds of jobs and a disruption of developed long-term transportation plans.”

H.R. 3694 – The Highway Funding Restoration Act

The legislation restores a minimum of $4.4 billion of the more than $8 billion in cuts proposed by the Administration’s FY 2003 budget, returning highway program funding to the level set by TEA 21: $27.746 billion.

This restoration brings the highway program back up to the level that was anticipated when TEA 21 became law in 1998. The bill also ensures that the money is distributed as required in TEA 21 – insuring that all 50 states receive their share as provided in the formula. This funding restoration translates into an estimated 180,000 family-wage jobs across the nation.

Witnesses Discuss TEA 21 Reauthorization

Witnesses went on to outline their priorities for TEA 21 reauthorization. Adjusting the Revenue Aligned Budget Authority (RABA) formula to eliminate the potential for dramatic swings in yearly highway funding figures was one priority according to some witnesses. Program flexibility for states and local planning bodies, congestion relief, improved safety and security were other priorities highlighted at the hearing.

“Overall, TEA 21 has been a tremendous success. We wish to duplicate that success and strengthen the provisions that are most helpful in meeting our national needs,” said Chairman Petri.

Another priority for reauthorization mentioned by witnesses was streamlining the lengthy environmental approval process for projects.

“On average, projects requiring an environmental impact statement take almost five years from start to environmental approval,” said Governor Patton. “This is entirely too long.”

Members of the Subcommittee also expressed concern over the need for environmental streamlining.

“States and communities need project permit streamlining to create jobs and improve our highway safety,” said U.S. Rep. C.L. “Butch” Otter (R-ID), a member of the Subcommittee.

“It is possible for reasonable and sound environmental policy to be achieved without sacrificing improved transportation and economic development,” said Patton.

Some of the local officials testifying stressed their concerns about being included in transportation-related decision-making processes. Too often, according to witnesses, they are left out of these key decisions.

“As regional leaders, we work hard to make strategic investments to stimulate economic growth, and being part of this funding and priority process is vital to our decision-making,” said Mayor Barr.

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