By Ron Thaniel
April 25, 2005

With the sixth extension of the Transportation Equity Act for the 21st Century, TEA-21, expiring May 31, The United States Conference of Mayors has signed a letter to Senate Majority Leader Senator Bill Frist (TN), urging action on the long-delayed transportation bill. Also signing were the National League of Cities, National Association of Counties, National Governors Association, National Conference of State Legislatures, Council of State Governments and International City/County Management Association.

The extension of TEA-21 is now more than 600 days overdue. The letter urged Frist to schedule consideration of SAFETEA, (Safe, Accountable, Flexible, and Efficient Transportation Equity Act of 2005), the Senate version of the reauthorization of the highway and transit programs, at the earliest possible date.

And, with the Senate Finance Committee reporting out the finance title on April 19, the Senate Committees have completed their work on their respective sections. The next step for SAFETEA is consideration on the Senate floor, which could come as early as the week of April 25.

At $284 billion through Fiscal Year 2009, SAFETEA equals the funding level proposed by the Administration and the amount contained in the House passed Transportation Equity Act: A Legacy for Users (HR 3 — TEALU).

However, Finance Committee Chairman Charles Grassley (IA) said he is working on a floor amendment to allow for higher spending levels. "My goal will be to grow the trust fund revenues in a way that doesn't increase the deficit or require general fund offsets," said Grassley.

Of note, the Senate Finance Committee approved a Conference of Mayors supported amendment to increase the transit/vanpool portion of the commute benefit to $155 per month.

The manager's amendment spearheaded by Senator Charles Schumer (NY) not only provides hundreds of dollars in savings to commuters, but also encourages more drivers to choose mass transit. The bill brings the mass transit subsidy far closer to the $200 set aside for employee parking expenses, increasing the incentive to take mass transit.

The Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works reported March 16 its SAFETEA title by a vote of 17 to 1 after rejecting efforts to increase funding. The Committee's action set contract authority for road projects at $190.8 billion starting in fiscal 2005, or $227.4 billion including authority already granted for Fiscal Year 2004.

The Senate Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs approved a $51.6 billion reauthorization measure March 17 to fund rail and bus operations for Fiscal Years 2004 — 2009. While the Senate's overall funding level $283.9 billion for the reauthorization of TEA-21 is equal to the amount authorized in the House passed bill, at $51.6 billion, the Senate transit title is less than the $52.3 billion level approved by the House.

SAFETEA Commerce Title

The Senate Commerce, Science and Transportation Committee reported April 14 a $5.3 billion measure covering activities of the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, the Federal Motor-Carrier Safety Administration and the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration.

The House passed HR 3 measure March 2, which authorizes:

• $225.5 billion for the Federal Highway Administration
• $52.3 billion for the Federal Transit Administration
• $6.1 billion for the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration and Federal Motor-Carrier Safety Administration Programs

It is important that the Senate pass SAFETEA as soon as possible, so that a House/Senate conference committee can work out differences between the respective bills before the current extension of TEA 21 expires May 31.

SAFETEA is likely to reach the Senate floor the week of April 25. There will be a strong attempt to increase the overall funding in the legislation. The Conference urges mayors to let their Senate delegation know you support this effort to increase the overall funding. Also urge your Senator to support Senate Banking committee Chair Richard Shelby (AL) and Ranking Member Paul Sarbane (MD) efforts to restore the transit share to that which was included in the bill passed by the Senate last year — 18.8 percent of total funding.