ISTEA-2 Legislation Shapes Up in Senate
In addition to the resolution of "environmental streamlining"
issues (article, p. 1) there were major developments this week in the Senate's
effort to reauthorize the nation's primary transportation legislation:
- Senate leaders agreed to big transportation funding hikes, largely
to prevent an open war between regions of the country over funding formulas.
On Monday, the Senate approved an amendment to add $28 billion in highway
spending to its authorization total. The lack of any increase for transit
brought condemnation from transportation reformers, transit-dependent states,
the NY Times, and Senator Al D'Amato who, as chair of the committee
that authors the Senate transit bill, was being hung out to dry in an election
year. Thus, on Thursday, a further $5 billion increase for transit was
announced.
Questions about the ultimate reality of these increases persist. D'Amato's
critics point out that the transit increase will be drawn from the general
federal budget, which is subject to intense competition during annual
appropriations. But others say that the highway increase, drawn from
the gas tax revenues in the federal highway trust fund, is still subject
to budget balancing limits and may not all be available for spending either.
Moreover, these numbers are not the last word, since Senate and House must
reconcile their authorization levels.
- Other major developments were the Senate's vote in favor of a stricter
federal definition of drunk driving (led by NJ's Senator Lautenberg against
a heavy lobbying campaign by the alcohol industry) and defeat of an effort
seeking to eliminate ISTEA's minority contracting program.
- Important amendments still to be resolved include an ill-advised attempt
to tie federal transit funding to gas tax revenues in each
state (penalizing states with effective transit), attacks on ISTEA's effective
and popular air quality and "transportation enhancements" programs,
and an effort by NJ Senator Torricelli to increase availability
of funding for pedestrian safety projects.
Senate Majority Leader Trent Lott will likely seek a "cloture motion"
on the ISTEA bill Monday, limiting the length of debate and constraining
additional amendments. When the House will consider ISTEA is uncertain.
For the latest on ISTEA developments and opportunities for citizen input,
visit STPP's www.istea.org
