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Press ReleasesOctober 30, 2008 McCaskill Announces Federal Funding for Missouri Highways More than $2 million will go towards traffic safety measures WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Claire McCaskill announced today that the State of Missouri would receive $2,038,749 for highway safety efforts through the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. The U.S. Department of Transportation is providing $96 million in fiscal year 2009 to support state highway safety programs through the State and Community Highway Safety Grant Program with the purpose of reducing traffic crashes, deaths, injuries, and property damage. “Far too often are we reminded of the need to bolster highway safety for drivers and their families,” Senator McCaskill said. “I’m happy that these funds will help the state improve our highway system so we see fewer accidents on our roads.” The State and Community Highway Safety Grant Program has provided funds for highway safety since the passage of the Highway Safety Act of 1966. Funding for each state is determined based on a formula that considers the state’s population and miles of roads. States may use the funds for alcohol countermeasures, speed control, emergency medical services, motorcycle safety, and other areas of priority. States must allocate a minimum of 40 percent of the grant to local governments. McCaskill believes that federal grants and loans are a positive alternative to earmarks, which have in the past been authorized during a secretive process with little accountability. Federal grants bring federal dollars back to Missouri in an honest and fiscally responsible manner.
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