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HomeMy WebLinkAbout98-990 03-12-1998RESOLUTION NO. 98 -990 A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF EULESS, TEXAS, SUPPORTING THE BYRD -GRAMM AMENDMENT NO. 1397 TO S. 1173, THE INTERMODAL SURFACE TRANSPORTATION EFFICIENCY ACT OF 1997, TO PROVIDE NEEDED INCREASES IN FEDERAL FUNDING FOR SURFACE TRANSPORTATION WHEREAS, the nation's transportation infrastructure plans 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 standards for safe and efficient operation and to meet expanding transportation demands; and WHEREAS, providing all states and the nation as a whole with the benefits of mobility and economic prosperity and ensuring an effective connection between the vital Texas transportation system and that of the rest of the nation requires steadfast support for the nation's transportation network as we enter the 21st Century; and WHEREAS, the upcoming reauthorization of federal surface transportation programs represents a critical opportunity to ensure that federal transportation funds provided to support the nation's transportation network are sufficient to support an effective response to the true needs of a modern transportation system; and WHEREAS, historically Texas has been a donor state, receiving a return of seventy - seven cents on the dollar for transportation funding; and WHEREAS, the U. S. Senate's reauthorization of the Intermodal Surface Transportation Efficiency Act, will guarantee a return of eighty -three cents on the dollar for Transportation and Infrastructure; and WHEREAS, Amendment No. 1397, known as the Byrd -Gramm Amendment, to S. 1173, the Intermodal Surface Transportation Efficiency Act of 1997, was introduced in the Senate on October 22, 1997, by Senator Robert Byrd of West Virginia and Senator Phil Gramm of Texas; and WHEREAS, the enactment of S. 1173 as amended by the Byrd -Gramm Amendment would authorize the use of an additional $6.1 billion per year from the Highway Account of the Federal Highway Trust Fund for highway infrastructure, making an additional $30.9 billion in contract authority available for highways during a five -year period; and WHEREAS, the increases in federal funding support for surface transportation provided by the Byrd -Gramm Amendment are fully funded through federal motor fuel tax revenues recently redirected to the Highway Trust Fund by the Taxpayer Relief Act of 1997; and WHEREAS, the Byrd -Gramm Amendment, by way of revenue from the 4.3 cent per gallon motor fuel tax, will provide an additional $1.9 billion in added highway and infrastructure funding for Texas. NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF EULESS, TEXAS: SECTION 1 The City of Euless supports the efforts represented by the Byrd -Gramm amendment to provide needed increases in federal funding for surface transportation. SECTION 2 The City of Euless encourages the Texas Congressional Delegation and members of the Texas transportation community to support and work toward the successful adoption of the principles included in that Amendment. ADOPTED at a regular meeting of the Euless City Council on the 12th day of March, 1998, by a vote of 7 ayes, 0 nays, and 0 abstentions. ATTEST: sa Crim, C, City Secretary APPROVED: