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Home / Legislative Action Center / Issues - Budget & Taxes / AWB Urges Congress to Restore Full Transportation Funding |
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AWB Urges Congress to Restore Full Transportation Funding |
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Written On: January 19, 2007 |
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OLYMPIA—The Association of Washington Business has asked Washington’s Congressional delegation to support restoring full transportation funding for our state’s highways, transit systems and safety projects.
According to AWB President Don Brunell, Washington loses $56.4 million in federal funding collected from the federal portion of the gas tax if Congress does not act by Feb. 15. That is enough money to provide construction work for more than 2,600 workers.
AWB is part of Americans for Transportation Mobility (ATM), which is a national coalition led by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce. "We believe that safe roads and congestion elimination are paramount to our state’s economic vitality and quality of life," Brunell said.
The problem with funding arose because Congress was unable to finish its appropriations work before adjourning last year. Since the 2007 fiscal year began on Oct. 1, the federal government has been operating on stopgap funding through what is known as a "Continuing Resolution" that expires on Feb. 15.
According to ATM, the new leaders in Congress need to come up with a funding plan for the remainder of the 2007 fiscal year (through September 30, 2007) in the next couple of weeks.
Based on recent remarks made by the leaders of the House and Senate Appropriations Committees, Congress expects to choose the most expedient option and provide continued funding at the same level as the 2006 fiscal year for almost all federal programs.
Without immediate Congressional action, funding for highways, transit and safety programs will likely be funded at last year's levels, which is roughly $3.8 billion below what each state has anticipated.
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