OPENING STATEMENT OF SENATOR BOB GRAHAM
TEA-21 REAUTHORIZATION
Mr.
Chairman:
Thank you for bringing us together today on the
subject of the reauthorization of TEA-21.
The policies that are decided during this debate will deeply affect each
of our states. You are to be commended as well for calling us together on
January 24 C our first week back in
session this year.
This learning process and discussion is too important
to rush through right before legislative drafting begins. You=re wise to begin now, and explore this
thoroughly.
I have looked at your proposal for eleven hearings
this year, and agree with the topics chosen, and the pace of discussion.
This is the first of those proposed hearings, and as
such, a great opportunity to look back on lessons learned, and lay out, in
general, some priorities and challenges for the next authorization cycle.
You=ve assembled a great group of witnesses (and I am
very pleased to see a Floridian, Commissioner Chris Hart from Hillsborough
County, on the panel). Each of them
brings perspective from different universe of government: federal, state,
county, and city.
This hearing emphasizes the level of coordination and
cooperation that has developed in transportation policy since we emphasized
this time of structure and planning in ISTEA.
I=ll be interested to learn of our successes, and where
we must improve in this cooperative planning process.
I would like a quick moment to reflect on my Alessons learned@ from the last
reauthorization process, and outline a few priorities.
Lessons
Learned:
C
Follow the legislative process through to the final regulations. Members of this committee, and witnesses in
this room, celebrated the environmental streamlining language that was
incorporated into TEA-21. We are now
frustrated by the slow progress in the development of regulations that reflect
our intent. This next time, I want to
work more closely with those who will interpret what we draft in this
committee. Better lines of
communication can only mean clearer, better public policy.
C
Other committees can affect what we draft here. I have been frustrated by the fact that some
of the programs that we developed in TEA-21 where grants should be awarded on
a competitive basis, are not working
that way in reality. As an example, the
ITS money provided by TEA-21 is all earmarked and not awarded in the way we
intended.
I=d like to work as a Committee with our colleagues and
find a solution that brings us closer to the intent of what we drafted and
passed in TEA-21.
There are more lessons learned, but time is
short.
I also hope the Committee will seek Alessons learned@ from those who have
actually been on the front lines of our nation=s transportation policy, much like the witnesses who
have joined us here today.
Looking ahead, the world has changed in several ways
since we finished enacted TEA-21.
There is a focus on homeland security.
We are heading into some tight budget years.
Traffic congestion is affecting quality of life.
We learned quickly after September 11 how difficult
life can be if one mode of transportation, such as air travel, suddenly becomes
difficult or impossible.
I look forward to working with our Chairman, my
colleagues here, and all interested parties in taking the next few months to
expand our knowledge of transportation issues and challenges, and together
drafting the next authorization bill to meet those challenges.