Dear __________________:
One of the most important legislative initiatives in the 105th Congress is the reauthorization of the federal highway and mass transit programs. The success or failure of the reauthorization of ISTEA--which is being called NEXTEA (the National Economic Crossroads Efficiency Act)--will directly affect the lives of all Americans.
I am writing to ask that you work to pass a transportation bill that provides the increases in highway funding that are desperately needed in order to maintain, rehabilitate, reconstruct and rebuild the lifeline to America's economic well-being; it's highway system.
The allocation of federal highway user-fee revenue among the states has been the single most contentious issue in the reauthorization debate. The irony is that the allocation debate--along with the divisive and concomitant disputes over which state gets more funding--can effectively be eliminated.
What is required to solve this dilemma? Swift action on two fronts: first, the redirection of the 1993 4.3 cent federal motor fuels tax revenue to the Highway Trust Fund; and second, the removal of the Highway Trust Fund from the unified federal budget.
The 4.3 cent gas tax increase was earmarked for the general treasury fund in 1993 for deficit reduction purposes. I believe that diversion of the 4.3 cent gas tax for non-highway purposes was an ill-advised action in view of the U.S. DOT's assessment that an additional $15 billion in highway spending is needed annually just to maintain existing conditions! This additional revenue could increase every state's share of federal highway funding.
Implementation of these two actions will ensure the reauthorization debate results in actually meeting the country's transportation needs. Your support of these proposals would help guarantee our state receives the maximum possible return on the excise tax contributions made by your constituents to the federal-aid highway program.
Sincerely,
