Legislative Update: President Bush Signs ARC FY 2003 Appropriations Bill February 2003

The Appalachian Regional Commission will receive $70.9 million in fiscal year (FY) 2003 for its area development programs under the "Consolidated Appropriations Resolution, 2003," signed into law by President George W. Bush on February 20 (P.L. 108-7). ARC's FY 2002 congressional appropriation was $71.3 million. The ARC-administered Appalachian Development Highway System (ADHS), which receives funds derived from the federal Highway Trust Fund, is expected to be funded at its FY 2002 level of approximately $400 million. The exact figure will be determined later in the year. P.L. 108-7 provides an additional $88 million for the ADHS, and another $100 million for ADHS corridor construction in Alabama, Kentucky, Mississippi, Tennessee, and West Virginia.