I recently saw this in the Kansas Government Journal.
Update from Washington. Q&A with KS Congressional Delegation.
Question:
Transportation infrastructure requires careful planning and the active participation of local elected officials working cooperatively with all levels of government. The Comprehensive Transportation Program of the Kansas Dept. of Transportation ends in 2009; funding for this and any future transportation program will rely on the use of federal funds. What do you see as the biggest benefits for federal transportation funding? What is your perception of federal transportation funding over the next couple of years?
Brownback: There should always be a federal highway program because highways connect states and allow the American economy to grow as a whole. The biggest issue that we face with highway funding over the next few years is that the trust fund is depleting as our maintenance needs and highway congestion are increasing. As we look toward the next federal highway bill, we need to look at creative solutions that address local needs, taking into account the pressures facing our Kansas communities.
Roberts: Federal partnerships for transportation projects, especially for rural states like Kansas, are vital to our state's success and development. This system moves our wheat, cattle, manufactured goods, and most importantly, our people. A safe and efficient transportation system in Kansas benefits the entire nation. Federal partnerships help less populated states like Kansas compete with urban states like New York and California for funding. As we all know, input prices continue to rise and the costs of maintaining and improving our roads and bridges are expensive.
We're in a critical time for shaping the future of transportation funding, especially under the Highway Trust Fund. Currently, the Highway Trust Fund is supported largely through fuel taxes and is predicted to be deficient in a few years. As a member of the Senate Finance Committee with jurisdiction over the funding structure of the Highway Trust Fund, I look forward to working on innovative solutions to our transportation funding needs.
Tiahrt: The federal government plays an important role in assisting states to pay for vital transportation projects. As a member of the House Appropriations Committee, I have worked hard to bring federal dollars to Kansas for a number of state priority projects. The federal/state partnership is a good one because safe roads and bridges make Kansas a better place to conduct business, travel, and vacation. As we look ahead to future federal transportation funding, I think we can expect to see tight federal budgets. There are a growing number of critical infrastructure needs with a limited amount of funding. It is important we continue to fight for Kansas' share of the available funds so that our state and citizens are best served.
Moran: As a member of the House committee that has jurisdiction over our nation's highways, airports, and rail systems, I understand the need for our country to invest in our transportation infrastructure. In order for citizens and businesses to continue thriving, we must ensure safe access to all parts of our state and country.
It is unfortunate that it took a tragic bridge collapse in Minneapolis to focus the attention of Congress on the need to invest more in our transportation infrastructure. In 2009, Congress will consider the next highway reauthorization bill which funds much of the federal portion of highway construction programs. As a senior member of the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, I will play and active role in the drafting of this legislation and will fight for more resources for our Kansas highways and roads.
Moore: Maintaining our infrastructure is of utmost importance to our economy. Highways, railroads, waterways, and airways are how we move goods throughout our country. Federal funding for transportation is extremely important in that it establishes a partnership between state and federal authorities and provides further investment in our economy, nation security, and user safety.
Boyda: Federal funding of our transportation network is in the national interest. American businesses depend on a smooth network of roads to deliver goods and services throughout the nation. Partnering with state and local governments ensures that this network remains intact.
Even with coordination between different levels of government, stable federal funding is crucial. The Federal Highway Trust Fund is expected to face a $4.3 billion shortfall by 2009, and as the tragedy in Minnesota revealed, the amount of money required to fully fix our transportation network is growing. Construction and rehabilitation projects are more expensive, and the gas tax that funds the program has not been increased since 1993. We have two choices: make a conscious effort to fix the highway trust fund and rehabilitate our nation's roads, or face the possibility of more disasters.
Cliff Galante, CCTM, Public Transit Administrator, Lawrence Transit System
