HomeMy WebLinkAbout97-975 06-10-1997RESOLUTION NO. 97-975
WHEREAS, the Intermodal Surface Transportation Efficiency Act of 1991 (ISTEA) expires on
September 30, 1997; and
WHEREAS, the nation's transportation infrastructure plays an integral part in the nation's economy
and the Texas transportation system is a key component of the national network; and
WHEREAS, the U.S. Department of Transportation has reported that the nation's transportation
network is in dire need of a substantial increase in the level of financial investment to bring the system up
to standard and to meet expanding transportation demands; and
WHEREAS, a strong National Highway System requires adequate support to provide mobility and
economic benefits for all states and the nation as a whole and to ensure the vital Texas transportation
system is connected to the rest of the nation; and
WHEREAS, our nation needs a simpler, more responsive federal surface transportation program
if we are to respond effectively to the transportation challenges and opportunities we will confront as we
enter the 21st Century; and
WHEREAS, a more flexible federal surface transportation program will better enable states, working
together with their local partners, to develop locally crafted solutions to meet locally identified transportation
needs; and
WHEREAS, the General Accounting Office has determined that current ISTEA funding formulas
are not needs -based and use outdated factors for distributing funds among the states; and
WHEREAS, the formulas used in the STEP 21 proposal (Streamlined Transportation Efficiency
Program for the 21st Century), embodied in the "ISTEA Integrity Restoration Act" filed by Congressman
Tom DeLay (R- Texas) and Senator John Warner (R- Virginia), are based on modern factors closely
associated with the use of the transportation systems; and
WHEREAS, the upcoming reauthorization of federal surface transportation programs represents
a critical opportunity to ensure that the future methods of allocating federal transportation funds among the
states are equitable and fair and take into consideration the true modern needs of the system; and
WHEREAS, the STEP 21 proposal will:
1. Provide multi -year authorization for a simplified, consolidated, and adequately funded
federal surface transportation program, providing each state increased flexibility to meet
unique state needs.
2. Respond to the key federal surface transportation responsibility by supporting a
consolidated, adequately funded, and more flexible National Highway System.
3. Streamline the Surface Transportation Program to provide states and local governments
with greater flexibility to address local transportation needs including compliance with
Clean Air Act mandates in nonattainment areas.
4. Provide a much fairer balance between each state's highway tax contributions to the
Highway Account of the federal Highway Trust Fund and funds that states receive from
that fund, while continuing to assist all states in providing road systems urgently needed
for national and regional mobility, economic connectivity, international competitiveness, and
national defense.
5. Preserve ISTEA partnerships with local governments that include local governments and
metropolitan planning organizations in the decision making process for transportation
planning and project selection, and retain the ISTEA suballocation of federal funds to
transportation management areas; and
6. Preserve ISTEA federal transit programs and funding structure
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED:
SECTION 1
That the City Council of the City of Euless, Texas, supports the Streamlined Transportation Efficiency
Program for the 21st Century embodied in H.R. 674 and S.B. 335; and
SECTION 2
That the City Council of the City of Euless, Texas, encourages the Texas Congressional Delegation, the
Governor, the Lieutenant Governor, the Speaker of the Texas House of Representatives and members of
the Texas transportation community to support and work toward the successful adoption of the principles
included in the STEP 21 proposal; and
SECTION 3
That the City Council of the City of Euless, Texas, requests that the Executive Director of the Texas
Department of Transportation work cooperatively with other states, the Texas Congressional Delegation,
state elected officials, the Texas Office of State - Federal Relations, local elected officials, metropolitan
planning organizations and other interested parties to facilitate the inclusion of the STEP 21 principles in
the reauthorization process.
ADOPTED at a regular meeting of the Euless City Council on the 10th day of June, 1997, by a vote
of 7 ayes, 0 nays, and 0 abstentions.
APPROVED:
ATTEST:
Susan CrIm, C C, City Secretary
RESOLUTION NO. 97 -975 , PAGE 2 OF 2