Legislative Update

FHWA: On May 14, U.S. Secretary of Transportation Norman Y. Mineta unveiled the Bush Administration's six-year $247 billion surface transportation reauthorization proposal. The Safe, Accountable, Flexible and Efficient Transportation Equity Act of 2003 (SAFETEA), serves as the largest surface and public transportation investment in U.S. history. The Secretary said the Administration's proposal more than doubles funding for highway safety over levels provided by the Transportation Equity Act for the 21^st Century (TEA-21) and serves as a framework for investments needed to maintain and grow the nation's vital transportation infrastructure. "The proposal I have submitted to the Congress is more than a simple spending plan - it is a key blueprint for investment," said Secretary Mineta. "SAFETEA, when enacted by the Congress, will help ensure transportation projects are completed on budget and on time, while protecting the environment. More importantly, this proposal will further the Administration's commitment to dramatically reducing the number of highway injuries and fatalities. I look forward to working with the Congress to help pass this important legislation without delay." A copy of the Administration's proposal is available at http://www.fhwa.dot.gov/reauthorization/safetea.htm

Here is a three-year projection of the DOT Secretary's proposal (in millions):

Issued by the House Transportation & Infrastructure Committee: The Administration finally unveiled its six-year $247 billion highway and transit funding proposal - The Safe, Accountable, Flexible and Efficient Transportation Equity Act of 2003" (SAFETEA).  The Administration's funding level is significantly lower than the six-year $375 billion proposal being drafted by the bipartisan leadership of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee. The Transportation Committee's $375 billion proposal is based upon the funding projections by the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) as necessary just to begin to improve America's highway and transit systems. Secretary Mineta testified with Mary Peters, Administrator of the Federal Highway Administration at two of these hearings. In addition to the national figures, the report also analyzed the potential state-by-state economic impacts. Copies of the full report are available at the following URL: http://www.artba.org/pdf/051303_gi_final_report.pdf.

Senate- Chairman Inhofe's (R-OK) statement: "I am pleased to introduce, by request, S. 1072, President Bush's legislation to reauthorize the federal surface transportation program, along with Senators Jeffords, Bond, and Reid. Although I am not in complete agreement with the President's bill, I believe the President deserves the courtesy of getting his bill introduced. I do agree with the President's desire to build upon the achievements of the Transportation Equity Act of the 21^st Century (TEA-21) of 1998 and the Intermodal Surface Transportation Efficiency Act (ISTEA) of 1991. In the hearings conducted by the Committee on Environment and Public Works over the last 12 months, we consistently heard that TEA-21 works. SAFETEA focuses on reducing highway fatalities and injuries, reducing congestion, protecting the environment, increasing funding flexibility for state and local governments, and providing economic stimulus to the nation's economy-all very worthy goals. Unfortunately, the funding proposed in the President's bill is inadequate. As Chairman of the Environment and Public Works Committee, I am looking forward to working with the President and my Congressional colleagues to develop a Senate bill that strengthens the national transportation system."

FAA: Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation approved S. 824, the Aviation Investment and Revitalization Vision Act, which reauthorizes $3.4 billion in FY 2004; $3.5 billion in FY 2005; and $3.6 billion in FY 2006 for FAA's Airport Improvement Program. House- On May 14, the House Aviation Subcommittee passed "Highlights Of Flight 100 - Century of Aviation Reauthorization Act" that provides and protects needed investment in our aviation system, and funding for the Airport Improvement Program at the Administration's request ($3.4 billion) in the first year, ramping up by $200 million a year in each subsequent year, and continues the procedural protections of AIR 21.  These ensure that all the taxes and revenues coming into the aviation trust fund from passengers and pilots are fully spent and that the capital programs (airport improvements and air traffic control modernization) are fully funded.

Federal Agencies

EPA: Senator James Inhofe (R-OK.), chairman of the Committee on Environment and Public Works, released the following statement response to the resignation of EPA Administrator Christie Whitman: "For the last two years, Gov. Whitman has served admirably as EPA administrator. She has been a strong advocate for the Bush Administration's pro-environmental agenda. Through her extensive knowledge and understanding of the nation's environmental laws, she led aggressive efforts to solve the nation's most complex environmental problems. She did that by pursuing a series of innovative reforms and policies that will result in a better environment. Though we at times had professional differences, I have enjoyed working with her on many issues, especially the President's Clear Skies initiative to reduce power plant emissions. I wish her well as she moves on to pursue other endeavors."