WASHINGTON - The House approved $50.9 billion Wednesday to fund the Departments of Transportation and of Housing and Urban Development. Rep. Tom Petri joined with the 270 to 147 majority.
"This is about keeping our transportation system up to date, making sure that every American has shelter, and doing it in a way that strengthens the economy," said Petri. "Importantly, this bill fully funds the guaranteed highway spending in the 2005 transportation bill, and keeps our promise that federal gasoline taxes paid by motorists will, in fact, be used to maintain our roadways and not be diverted for other purposes. Gasoline taxes are supposed to function as user fees for drivers."
"Also, this bill provides $3.5 billion for airport projects, funded by taxes and fees levied on those who use those facilities," Petri said.
He noted four projects in the legislation of particular interest to central Wisconsin.
The bill includes $600,000 for an engineering study of a bridge across the North Fond du Lac rail yard. "Working with local officials, I pushed for this because people have been stuck at the rail crossing there for long periods of time while trains pass. That can be a big problem, especially for ambulances, the police and the fire department," Petri said.
$400,000 was included for the reconstruction of State Highway 44 in Oshkosh, which is a top priority for the Wisconsin Department of Transportation. "This is a good start toward completing needed improvements for this important highway," Petri said.
$100,000 was included for the Sheboygan Development Corporation to help fund the construction of the Great Lakes Aerospace Science and Education Center, also known as Spaceport Sheboygan. "This is important in order to boost our competitiveness in high tech industries," Petri said.
The legislation also includes $3,350,000 for public buses and bus facilities in Wisconsin.
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