Funding for our nation's transportation infrastructure continues to be a high priority for me.  Constant improvement is needed on our highways, bridges and roads to improve driving safety and ease congestion.  Increased funding is critical for the economy and for more job opportunities. The Transportation Equity Act for the 21st Century (TEA-21) established a trust fund that collects taxes from gas sales for the purpose of better roads. Highway funding rises or falls based on trust fund receipts.

Unfortunately, due to a lagging economy, trust fund receipts are $4.3 billion lower than anticipated.  This revenue shortfall threatens to leave Tennessee $150 million short of what is needed to keep the state transportation infrastructure strong. 

As a member of the House Appropriations Committee, which has discretionary powers on transportation spending, I realize that this crisis cannot go unchecked.  In February, the House overwhelmingly passed the final spending bill for fiscal year 2003, which the President signed into law on February 20.  This bill includes $31.8 billion in funding for fiscal year 2003 for the highway investment program. 

I will continue to work to increase these funds to help meet Tennessee's transportation infrastructure needs while being a good steward of taxpayer dollars.