HomeMy WebLinkAbout98-996 04-14-1998RESOLUTION NO. 98 -996
RESOLUTION APPROVING CONTINUED LEGISLATIVE
SUPPORT FOR INCREASED TRANSPORTATION FUNDING
FOR TEXAS INTERMODAL SURFACE TRANSPORTATION
EFFICIENCY ACT OF 1991 (ISTEA) REAUTHORIZATION
PROCESS
WHEREAS, the Regional Transportation Council, comprised primarily of local
elected officials, is the regional transportation policy body associated with the North
Central Texas Council of Governments, the Metropolitan Planning Organization, and has
been and continues to be a forum for cooperative decisions on transportation; and
WHEREAS, the Regional Transportation Council is charged with the responsibility
of preparing and maintaining the Metropolitan Transportation Plan for the Dallas -Fort
Worth Metropolitan Area in accordance with applicable federal regulations; and
WHEREAS, Mobility 2020: The Metropolitan Transportation Plan is the
Metropolitan Transportation Plan for the Dallas -Fort Worth Metropolitan Area as
adopted by the Regional Transportation Council on December 12, 1996; and
WHEREAS, Mobility 2020: The Metropolitan Transportation Plan contains $32.6
billion in transportation needs, resulting in a financial program calling for $6.8 billion in
additional revenue; and
WHEREAS, the Intermodal Surface Transportation Efficiency Act of 1991
(ISTEA) expired on September 30, 1997, and the six-month ISTEA extension bill will
expire on April 30, 1998; and
WHEREAS, the U.S. Senate, on March 12, 1998, voted to approve S.B. 1173
(ISTEA II), which will provide $214 billion in contract authority for the nation's
transportation needs over the next six years (1998 - 2003), and the U.S. House of
Representatives is awaiting action on H.R. 2400 (BESTEA), which proposes $218 billion
in contract authority for the nation's transportation needs over the next six years (1998-
2003); and
WHEREAS, the funding equity issue to "donor states" as outlined in the
Streamlined Transportation Efficiency Program to the 21s Century (STEP 21), now
included in both ISTEA II and BESTEA legislation, is of critical importance to rapidly
growing states such as Texas; and
WHEREAS, the principal issue remaining for donor states in the ISTEA
reauthorization debate is the percentage of total funds on which the rate of return to donor
states is calculated; and
WHEREAS, both the Senate's ISTEA II and House's BESTEA legislation contain
language for a 90 cents on the dollar guaranteed return on highway formula programs for
Texas; and
WHEREAS, it is estimated by the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDot) that
the funding return to Texas as provided in the ISTEA II legislation is 87 cents per every
dollar contributed by Texas to the Highway Trust Fund, and as proposed in the BESTEA
legislation, the return is 82 cents per every dollar contributed by Texas to the Highway
Trust Fund; and
WHEREAS, Texas and the North Central Texas region need a valid and certain 90
percent return on the total highway program in order to keep pace with the projected
increases in both population and vehicular travel demand in our state and region,
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT HEREBY RESOLVED THAT:
SECTION I
The City of Euless applauds the continuous efforts by members of both the House and
Senate in supporting legislation that increases the nation's investment in transportation
infrastructure over the next six years.
SECTION II
The City of Euless continues to support federal transportation legislation that guarantees
a 90 percent return on the total highway program and a 90 -cent return to Texas for every
dollar Texas contributes to the Highway Trust Fund.
SECTION III
This resolution is transmitted to members of the Texas Congressional delegation and the
NCTCOG Regional Transportation Council.
SECTION IV
This resolution shall be in effect immediately upon its adoption.
ATTEST: