Hutchinson calls for reform in funding for federal highway program
By: U.S. Senator Kay Bailey Hutchison
Issue date: 5/4/09 Section: News
To ensure interstate equity and to allow states to most efficiently maintain and improve their highways, we have introduced the Highway Fairness and Reform Act of 2009. This bill would give states the choice to opt-out of the federal highway program and instead be rebated federal fuel taxes collected within their borders. Our proposal would cut the overwhelming majority of federal strings attached, but would require that rebated taxes be spent on surface transportation projects. This option would allow Texas, for example, to finally see its fair share of gas tax dollars, and ensure all of our funds could be directed toward improving transportation in high growth areas of our states.
Opt-out states would be required to maintain their Interstate Highway System, but could determine which federal programmatic requirements, such as highway enhancements and design standards, would be continued. To ensure that our nation's roads are safe for all American motorists, safety provisions under the federal highway program, like the minimum drinking age, would continue to fall under the jurisdiction of the U.S. Transportation Secretary.
The federal highway system is one of our nation's greatest cultural and economic advantages, and it must be maintained for the prosperity of future generations. However, its preservation must not cost some Americans more than others nor be micromanaged by those who are least equipped to know the intricacies of existing congestion and traffic-flow issues. No state should be forced to send its gasoline taxes to Washington and get it back with mounds of regulations and a cut in the mound returned.
Reforming our national highway system is long overdue, and the time has come to allow each state to determine what is appropriate for its residents and their tax dollars.
Kay Bailey Hutchison is the senior U.S. Senator from Texas and is the Ranking Member on the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.
Opt-out states would be required to maintain their Interstate Highway System, but could determine which federal programmatic requirements, such as highway enhancements and design standards, would be continued. To ensure that our nation's roads are safe for all American motorists, safety provisions under the federal highway program, like the minimum drinking age, would continue to fall under the jurisdiction of the U.S. Transportation Secretary.
The federal highway system is one of our nation's greatest cultural and economic advantages, and it must be maintained for the prosperity of future generations. However, its preservation must not cost some Americans more than others nor be micromanaged by those who are least equipped to know the intricacies of existing congestion and traffic-flow issues. No state should be forced to send its gasoline taxes to Washington and get it back with mounds of regulations and a cut in the mound returned.
Reforming our national highway system is long overdue, and the time has come to allow each state to determine what is appropriate for its residents and their tax dollars.
Kay Bailey Hutchison is the senior U.S. Senator from Texas and is the Ranking Member on the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.
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