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Press Releases |
For Immediate Release
04/28/09
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Joe Brenckle - Republican Press Office 202-224-3991
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Sen. Hutchison Says Highway Funding Formula No Longer Serves Best Interests of States
Introduces Bill Allowing States to Opt Out of Federal Highway Program |
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WASHINGTON, D.C. – Senator Kay Bailey Hutchison (R-Texas), the Ranking Member on the Senate Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee, made the following statement today during a Commerce Committee hearing on the future of surface transportation.
“Thank you Mr. Chairman. I do thank you for holding this hearing today. It is the first hearing of this committee to consider the many important issues we confront in reauthorizing our nation’s surface transportation programs, which expire in September. I believe there is a proper federal role in promoting the safety and security of our national transportation system and I hope this hearing marks the beginning of a thorough debate on this issue. It is my hope, that we can reform the federal role in a manner that will better meet our states’ transportation priorities. I want to welcome, Secretary LaHood, and also Ned Holmes, who will be on the second panel, who serves on the Texas Transportation Commission and is chairman of the Transportation Transformation Group.
“It’s been more than fifty years since President Eisenhower signed legislation to create the Interstate System and construction on the final span of national highway was finished nearly twenty years ago. Yet highway users in all fifty states are still paying into the national highway system through a formula designed around the now obsolete purpose of completing the Interstate System. Many of those states, including Texas, are forced to shoulder an unfair burden through the current funding scheme, whereby a far greater portion of our gas tax dollars are being diverted away from critical transportation needs in our state. In my view, the existing funding formula is no longer serving the best interest of each state and the traveling public. Our transportation mission should evolve to maintain and improve this valuable infrastructure. We must add highway capacity in areas where population and commercial growth is exceeding what our infrastructure can withstand. Our funding structure must change to meet these shifting priorities. That is why today I am introducing the Highway Fairness and Reform Act of 2009, along with Senators Martinez, Cornyn, and Kyl. Our bill would give states the choice to opt-out of the Federal Highway Program and instead be rebated federal fuel taxes collected within our borders. It would cut the overwhelming majority of federal strings attached, but would require that rebated taxes be spent on surface transportation projects. This option would allow all states to receive a more equitable distribution of gas tax dollars, while ensuring funds are directed toward improving transportation in the high-growth areas within those states.
“The policy of revenue sharing was instituted in 1956 because some states with a lot of land mass but lower populations were unable to generate enough revenue to build the roads comprising a truly national highway system. Even though the highway system is complete, the current formula continues to send some states excess revenues while the roads and residents of “donor states,” those paying in more than they are receiving back, are shortchanged. In short, the gas tax revenues of states like Texas, Arizona, Florida, Ohio, and more, could be spent on bike trails in Vermont or bridges in Madison County, rather than on crumbling or congested highways in Miami or Cincinnati.
“I also think that as we address the proper federal role in transportation, we need to alleviate states from the unnecessary burdens that have accumulated over the years. For example, of the federal funding that states do receive, there are no fewer than 108 federally mandated programs that must be factored into decisions on how the money will be spent. Once a state decides to begin a transportation project using some of its federal highway funding, it takes an estimated 12 to 15 years of bureaucratic process before a state can even break ground. This level of federal micromanagement fails to acknowledge that our state and local leaders are best positioned to carry out the present transportation mission which should be maintenance and improvement.
“My legislation is designed to ensure interstate equity and to allow states that will be able to maintain and improve their highways most efficiently, while removing unnecessary regulatory burdens. Opt-out states would be required to maintain their Interstate Highway System, but could determine which federal program requirements could be eliminated.
“So, Mr. Chairman, I thank you for calling this hearing. I think this is the time to start this debate and I hope that we can come to agreement on what is equitable for all of our states, not just for some. Thank you.”
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29th - |
Rockefeller Cracks Down On Fraud
- Washington, D.C.—Senator John D. (Jay) Rockefeller IV, a strong supporter of the Fraud Enforcement and Recovery Act, commended its passage in the U.S. Senate by a vote of 92 to 4.
“This is about protecting families from fraud that has plagued the mortgage and financial industries, contributing to a nationwide economic crisis,” said Senator Rockefeller, a cosponsor of the legis...
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29th - |
Chairman Rockefeller Applauds President Obama’s First 100 Days In Office
- WASHINGTON, DC – Senator John D (Jay) Rockefeller IV (D-WV), Chairman of the U.S. Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation, issued the following statement regarding President Obama’s First 100 Days in Office:
“President Obama and his team have proven that they can hit the ground running, from boosting the economy to beginning the process of updating our transportation ...
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28th - |
Chairman Rockefeller's Statement on The Future of National Surface Transportation Policy
- WASHINGTON, D.C. - The Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation held a Surface Transportation and Merchant Marine Infrastructure, Safety, and Security Subcommittee hearing today on The Future of National Surface Transportation Policy. Senator John D (Jay) Rockefeller IV (D-WV), Chairman of the U.S. Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation, was unable to attend today&rsqu...
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28th - |
current Press Release |
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28th - |
Chairman Rockefeller Applauds Supreme Court’s Decision on Indecency Standards
- WASHINGTON, DC – Senator John D (Jay) Rockefeller IV (D-WV), Chairman of the U.S. Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation, issued the following statement regarding the Supreme Court’s 5-4 decision today on the Federal Communications Commissions "fleeting expletives" policy.
“I am encouraged by the Supreme Court’s decision today to reverse the ruling ...
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28th - |
Sen. Hutchison Introduces Bill Allowing States to Opt Out of Federal Highway Program
- WASHINGTON, D.C. – To eliminate the long-obsolete Federal Highway Program funding formula, U.S. Senator Kay Bailey Hutchison (R-TX), Texas’ senior Senator, today introduced legislation that will allow states to opt out of the federal program. Rather than receiving funding for highway maintenance and construction via the federal formula, opt-out states would instead be rebated gas tax d...
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27th - |
Chairman Rockefeller Applauds New Members Of President’s Science And Technology Advisory Council
- WASHINGTON, DC – Senator John D (Jay) Rockefeller IV (D-WV), Chairman of the U.S. Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation, issued the following statement regarding President Obama’s announcement of new members on the President’s Council of Advisors on Science and Technology (PCAST):
“This advisory council will help us take science out of the laboratory and into ...
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24th - |
Chairman Rockefeller’s Statement On FAA Bird Strike Data Release
- WASHINGTON, D.C. - Senator John D (Jay) Rockefeller IV (D-WV), Chairman of the U.S. Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation, issued the following statement regarding the FAA’s disclosure of bird strike data:
“I am pleased that the Federal Aviation Administration and the Department of Transportation released the data regarding bird strikes. I have been in touch with the FAA...
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24th - |
Rockefeller Introduced Legislation Calling For Universal Adoption Of Electronic Health Records
- Washington, D.C. —Senator John D. (Jay) Rockefeller IV has introduced legislation that will facilitate nationwide adoption of electronic health records, particularly among small, rural providers. The Health Information Technology Public Utility Act of 2009 will build upon the successful use of “open source” electronic health records by the Department of Veterans Affairs as well ...
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23rd - |
Rockefeller Statement on Nominees Voted Out Of Commerce Committee
- WASHINGTON, D.C. - Senator John D (Jay) Rockefeller IV (D-WV), Chairman of the U.S. Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation, issued the following statement regarding the nominations reported out by the Committee today:
“I am extremely impressed with the caliber of individuals President Obama nominated to run these vital positions in our government. The President and I agree that ...
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21st - |
Chairman Rockefeller’s Statement On Commerce Committee Nominees
- Washington, DC – Senator John D. (Jay) Rockefeller IV (D-WV), Chairman of the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation, released the following opening statement regarding nominees put before the committee today:
“I wish to congratulate all of you on your nomination for positions in the United States Department of Transportation (DOT), the United States Department of Commerc...
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17th - |
Hearing Postponed: Reform of the Federal Communications Commission
- WASHINGTON, D.C. – The Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation has postponed the hearing scheduled for Wednesday April, 22, 2009 on the Reform of the Federal Communications Commission. Additional information will be made available once the hearing is rescheduled.
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3rd - |
SENATOR ROCKEFELLER URGES IMMEDIATE ACTION ON BAYER CHEMICAL EXPLOSION
- Washington, D.C. –Senator John D. (Jay) Rockefeller IV sent a letter today to the United States Coast Guard requesting that they release key findings in the Bayer CropScience chemical explosion investigation without compromising national security.
The Coast Guard has been working with the Chemical Safety and Hazard Investigations Board (CSB) to determine the cause and reaction to the Aug...
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3rd - |
CHAIRMAN ROCKEFELLER REQUESTS INFORMATION FROM EIGHTEEN HEALTH INSURANCE COMPANIES
- WASHINGTON, D.C. – Senator John D. (Jay) Rockefeller IV, Chairman of the U.S. Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation has held two full committee hearings on Deceptive Health Insurance Industry Practices – Are Consumers Getting What They Paid For? Rockefeller sent letters late yesterday to 18 different health insurance companies asking them what data they use to dete...
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2nd - |
COMMERCE CHAIRMAN ROCKEFELLER’S STATEMENT ON RESIGNATION OF NASA INSPECTOR GENERAL ROBERT COBB
- WASHINGTON, D.C. – Senator John D (Jay) Rockefeller IV (D-WV), Chairman of the U.S. Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation, issued the following statement regarding the resignation of NASA Inspector General Robert Cobb:
“Only a few short weeks ago, Senator McCaskill and I expressed deep concerns to President Obama that the NASA Inspector General, Robert Cobb, had been re...
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1st - |
Chairman Rockefeller and Senator Snowe Introduce Comprehensive Cybersecurity Legislation
- WASHINGTON, D.C. – Senator John D. (Jay) Rockefeller IV, Chairman of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation and Senator Olympia Snowe (R-ME) today announced the introduction of comprehensive cybersecurity legislation to address our nation’s vulnerability to cyber crime, global cyber espionage, and cyber attacks that could potentially cripple the United States&rsq...
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1st - |
Bill Would Federalize Cybersecurity- Senate Proposal Would Affect Even Some Private Networks
- Key lawmakers are pushing to dramatically escalate U.S. defenses against cyberattacks, crafting proposals that would empower the government to set and enforce security standards for private industry for the first time.
The proposals, in Senate legislation that could be introduced as early as today, would broaden the focus of the governments cybersecurity efforts to include not only military ne...
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