By Ron Thaniel
April 26, 2004

A third extension of the surface transportation law is a likely possibility to prevent the shutdown of federally funded highway and transit programs May 1.

Many issues are unresolved prior to the conference of the House'senate bills. The United States Conference of Mayors continues to call for increased resources for transit, aging and congested infrastructure, resources to improve the environment and reduce congestion choking America's cities.

The funding level for both the Senate and House passed versions is the major issue to finalize.

The Senate passed measure (S.1072) would authorize $318 billion over six years. The House passed bill (HR 3550) would authorize $284 billion over six years. The Administration, which proposed a $256 billion bill over six years, has threatened a veto of a bill containing either the House or Senate number.

The Conference is concerned that funding below the Senate level of $318 billion will continue the rapid deterioration of transportation systems found in cities. This figure is largely based on needs identified by the U.S. Department of Transportation.

Funding levels under $318 billion will likely weaken core programs, make transit a target for increased highway investment and signal the elimination or reduction of strategic new investments such as Projects of National and Regional Significance, Safe Routes to School and the Highway Stormwater Discharge Mitigation Program.

Analyzing The Competing Proposals — Overall Funding

Current law provides $198 billion of guaranteed funding for the period 1998-2003, with $162 billion for highways, including highway safety and motor carrier safety, and $36 billion for transit. The Administration increased overall funding to $256 billiion, based on the FY05 transporation budget.

As introduced last year, the Administration is supporting an overall funding level of $247 billion with transit funding at $45.8 billion and highway funding level at $180 billion, including funding for safety and motor carrier safety.

The Senate's bill completed this February is calling for an overall funding level of $318, which includes $56.5 billion for transit and $261.5 billion for highways, including safety and motor carrier safety.

The House bill completed earlier this month calls for an overall funding level of $283.2 billion with $51.5 billion for transit and $222.5 billion for highways, including safety and motor carrier safety.

A complete side-by-side analysis of the proposals matched to Conference reauthorization priorities is available on our website at usmayors.org.

Second Extension Set To Expire April 30

Since last October there have been two extensions of the TEA-21 and with the odds of getting a transportation bill done before April 30 next to impossible, Congress will again need to extend the law to prevent shutdown of federally funded highway and transit programs. There is no consensus on how long another extension should be. There is growing concern that if the transportation bill is not completed by July a longer term extension will be needed to get through the November elections.