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For Immediate Release
01/21/09
Contact: Joe Brenckle - Republican Press Office 202-224-3991
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Sen. Hutchison’s Ban on Tolling Federal Highways Supported by Transportation Secretary Nominee LaHood
LaHood Agrees that Taxpayers Should Not Pay Twice for Federal Roads
 

WASHINGTON, DC – U.S. Senator Kay Bailey Hutchison (R–TX), Texas’ senior Senator, today pressed former Congressman Ray LaHood, the Transportation Secretary nominee, on his stance on imposing tolls on existing federal highways at a Senate Committee on Commerce, Transportation & Science hearing. Rep. LaHood agreed with Sen. Hutchison that tolling should not be imposed on existing roads that have already been paid for by taxpayers, unless a new lane is constructed and the same number of free lanes is maintained. 

“I think we have placed too much focus on private-financed toll roads to solve the problems of urban congestion. In many instances, this has become an abdication of private property rights. I am very concerned about our federal government giving incentives to promote toll roads and, in some instances, allowing tolls over every lane of a federal highway that the taxpayers have already paid for,” said Sen. Hutchison.

“The idea of taking…the interstate highway that’s already there and people are using and putting tolls on that… is not a good idea,” said Rep. LaHood.

At the Commerce Committee hearing to consider his nomination to the post of Transportation Secretary on Wednesday, Rep. LaHood testified that out-of-the box thinking would be needed to face transportation challenges, and imposing tolls on existing highways that taxpayers are already using is not a good approach. Rep. LaHood agreed that tolls could be a viable option for new lanes, highways, or bridges.

In 2007, Sen. Hutchison successfully passed legislation that prohibits the tolling of existing federal highways built with taxpayer dollars in Texas. Sen. Hutchison’s amendment passed and was signed into law as part of the Fiscal Year (FY) 2008 THUD Appropriations bill. The Senate extended the provision through September 30, 2009.

           

 

 

 

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January 2009 Press Releases  « December | February »   « 2008 | 2010 » 
29th -  Statement by Senator Hutchison on Senate Passage of Bill to Shift DTV Transition Date to June 12
28th -  Senate Commerce Committee Chairman Rockefeller Deeply Disappointed by House Republican Block of DTV Delay Bill
26th -  Senate Passes Bill to Shift DTV Transition Date to June 12
26th -  Rockefeller DTV Delay Bill Passes Senate
23rd -  Statement by Senator Hutchison on Shift of DTV Transition Date
22nd -  Rockefeller Congratulates Rep. LaHood on His Confirmation as Department of Transportation Secretary
22nd -  Rockefeller Announces Compromise on DTV Delay Bill
21st -  Senator Hutchison Welcomes New Republican Members of Commerce Committee
21st -  current Press Release
21st -  Sen. Hutchison Presses Transportation Nominee LaHood On Improving Air Safety, FAA Landing Slots and Amtrak Enhancements
15th -  Oceans Policy Scores Victory with Passage of S. 22, the Omnibus Public Land Management Act of 2009
15th -  Sen. Hutchison Introduces Bill to Prevent Cell Phone Use in Prison
8th -  Senator Hutchison: Too Early to Call for DTV Delay
 
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