Oberstar, DeFazio praised for continuing support of transportation
Chairman James Oberstar, left, and Representative Peter DeFazio cited for long-time support of transportation reform.
The Trucker News Services
7/23/2009
WASHINGTON, D.C. — James Corless, director of Transportation for America, released the following statement in advance of today’s Ways and Means panel praising Chairman James Oberstar (D-MN) and Representative Peter DeFazio (D-OR) for their commitment to long-term transportation reform:
“Transportation for America commends Chairman Oberstar, Representative DeFazio and the committee for bringing attention to the critical need for a long-term plan to finance infrastructure for the 21st century. We especially applaud Chairman Oberstar and Congressman DeFazio for a draft bill that lays the groundwork for the bold new vision that will be necessary to win Americans’ support for more funding.
“With last summer’s patch of the highway trust fund with an $8 billion infusion from the general fund, and the likelihood of another infusion this summer, it is clear that the current funding mechanisms will not meet future needs. Transportation for America has proposed multiple scenarios for raising revenue for a $500 billion transportation bill. However, the American people will support new money only if it comes with reforms that will provide them the 21st century transportation system we need.
“This year’s rewrite of our federal transportation law is a once-in-a-generation opportunity to create the safe, clean and smart transportation system necessary to move America forward. Congress should look at a variety of potential revenue strategies, but any strategy that is implemented must go hand-in-hand with reforms to help spend these funds more wisely. America simply cannot afford to wait for changes to our transportation system that will create jobs and help us tackle our long term economic, energy, climate and health challenges.”
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