February 13, 2002 Letter to U.S.
Representatives Urging Co-sponsorship of HR 3694
February 13, 2002
The Honorable Neil Abercrombie
U.S. House of
Representatives
Washington, DC 20515
Dear Representative Abercrombie:
I write on behalf of the 1,400 member organizations of the
American Public Transportation Association (APTA) to urge you
to co-sponsor H.R. 3694, the Highway Funding Restoration Act.
The bill was introduced on February 7th by
Transportation and Infrastructure Committee Chairman Don Young
(R-AK), Ranking Member James Oberstar (D-MN) and 73
co-sponsors.
There is little doubt about the constantly growing demand
for investment in the nation’s surface transportation
infrastructure. While funding increases authorized under the
Transportation Equity Act for the 21st Century (TEA
21) have helped to address congestion and the need to maintain
and improve our transportation system, we still have far to
go. The health and growth of our economy has never been more
dependent on the efficient movement of goods, services, and
people. Especially now, in the absence of economic stimulus
legislation, we cannot find any good policy justification for
a 28% cut in the program administered by the Federal Highway
Administration (FHWA).
In addition to the enormous job loss that would result from
such a dramatic reduction in highway construction and
maintenance programs, we are concerned that the proposed cut
would lower the amount of money that states could use for
public transportation solutions sought by state and local
officials. According to FHWA, states chose to use almost $1.4
billion in flexible funds during FY 2001 for public
transportation projects. We also believe that such a cut would
establish an unrealistic funding baseline for the debate on
the upcoming reauthorization of surface transportation
programs. We firmly believe that a good transportation system
benefits the nation and its people.
I thank you for consideration of our views. If you have
questions, please call on me, or contact Rob Healy of my staff
at (202) 496-4811 or rhealy@apta.com.
Sincerely yours,
William W. Millar
President
WWM/ked
