Washington (February 25, 2003) – U.S. Senator Ron Wyden (D-Ore.) today called on the Bush administration to work with Congress to pass a responsible, bipartisan highway bill within 90 days. Wyden cited federal transportation funding as a critical tool to help get struggling state economies moving again and to provide living wage jobs. In addition, Wyden called on the federal government to pay states the highway funding they are owed from federal gas taxes.
"At a time when states are struggling, and too often failing, to make ends meet, the federal government should be a better partner in encouraging real economic stimulus and job creation," said Wyden. "Federal transportation funding not only brings meaningful economic assistance into the states, it also creates living wage jobs that can sustain struggling families. Congress should make passing a responsible, bipartisan federal highway bill in 90 days a top legislative priority."
Since the passage of TEA-21 and its predecessor ISTEA, states have been owed hundreds of millions of dollars in federal transportation funding from collection of gasoline taxes. The federal tax is sent to the Treasury to be apportioned out to states according to a formula. However, the federal government has held on to hundreds of millions of dollars that should have been returned to the states for spending on transportation projects. By making this money immediately available, states could move forward on stalled maintenance and repair projects that have been delayed or never started due to inadequate funding. Oregon alone has been shorted $260 million over the last ten years in federal transportation assistance from gas tax collection.
"The federal government must stop being a Scrooge on transportation funding and give the states what they are owed," said Wyden. "By jumpstarting planning for 2004 and making funding available now for maintenance and repairs in 2003, the federal government can be a good partner and provide real economic stimulus to help turn around sluggish state economies."
As part of a FY2004 transportation bill, Wyden proposed making available advance contract authority to pay for highway maintenance and repairs in 2003. By making funding available this summer for much needed repairs of roads and bridges, a transportation bill could provide a more immediate stimulus for sluggish state economies.
Wyden announced his proposal today in a meeting between Oregon Governor Ted Kulongoski (D) and the Oregon Congressional delegation. The meeting was convened to discuss opportunities and priorities for the elected officials to work together to bring economic relief to the state.
