FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: July 9, 2003

LARSON AND F.A.I.R. ALLIANCE PLEDGE TO PROTECT HIGHWAY FUNDS FOR STATES
Congressman Seeks to Ensure Connecticut Does Not Lose $163 Million

WASHINGTON, D.C.- U.S. Congressman John B. Larson (CT-01) and other members of the Fair Alliance for Intermodal Reinvestment (FAIR) Alliance today pledged that they would work together to protect federal transportation funding for Connecticut and other states in the upcoming reauthorization of the Transportation Equity Act for the 21st Century (TEA-21). The formation of the coalition is in response to proposals by lawmakers from western and southwestern states to change the TEA-21 funding formula to increase funding for their region at the expense of eastern and northeastern states, including Connecticut, which stands to lose $163 million in funding.

Larson stated: "I am pleased that so many of my colleagues, including members our state's Congressional Delegation, are working together to protect much needed transportation funding for Connecticut and other states. I will continue to oppose any legislation that would reduce transportation dollars for Connecticut and states that have similar needs for both highways and transit projects. I look forward to working with my colleagues here as well as back home in the state, to ensure that we receive the funding that our states require.

"The northeast is more densely populated and has an older, high-use transportation infrastructure, requiring a greater level of funding. Changing the TEA-21 formula to reduce the level of funding our states receive would be unfair and a serious blow to our transportation infrastructure," said Larson.

Under the current formula, each state is assured of receiving 90.5% of its gas tax investment and a minimum dollar guarantee back from the Federal Highway Administration for highway and mass transit funding. The FAIR Alliance seeks to preserve this vital nationwide infrastructure program, which benefits all 50 states and the District of Columbia by ensuring national security readiness and response, freight transportation, mass transit and tourism accessibility.

Under a current proposal to revise the federal funding formula 17 states and the District of Columbia stand to lose a total of more than $1 billion in federal funding.

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