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TEA-21
Renewal - Process & Leadership
The
nation's surface transportation law, TEA-21, expired
on September 30, 2003.
This law governs how Highway Trust Fund
money, revenues from the $18.4 cent federal gas tax,
is spent - roughly $38 billion per year.
The law both sets policy for how the money is
spent, funding levels for spending categories such
as CMAQ, Bridges, Enhancements, and Safety.
About 5% of ISTEA and TEA-21 funds were
earmarked for specific projects.
The
Surface Transportation Policy Project's policy
platform for TEA-21 reauthorization, "Stay the
Course", (available at
Tea3),
outlines four key policy goals.
These are 1) Require accountability and
reward performance, 2) Fix it First, 3) Create more
choices and build livable communities, and 4) Learn
to Serve People.
Key messages are on health, safety,
protecting national treasures, local
decision-making, and social equity.
Click
here to see a list of hearings on TEA-21
reauthorization since January, 2002, and testimony
from STPP coalition members.
Leadership
in the 108th Congress:
Senate
Environment & Public Works (EPW) Committee
Has
jurisdiction over surface transportation, including
highways, bike and pedestrian projects, air quality
programs, and the planning title, but not over
transit, rail, or planning that relates to transit.
Senator
Jim Inhofe from Oklahoma, Chair
Senator
Jim Jeffords from Vermont, top-ranking Member
caucusing with Democrats
Senator
Kit Bond from Missouri, Chair of Subcommittee on
Transportation
Senator
Harry Reid from Nevada, top-ranking Democrat of
Subcommittee on Transportation
Senate
Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs Committee
Has
jurisdiction over transit and planning related to
transit.
Senator
Richard Shelby from Alabama, Chair
Senator
Paul Sarbanes from Maryland, top-ranking Democrat
Senator
Wayne Allard from Colorado, Chair of Subcommittee on
Housing & Transportation
Senator
Jack Reed from Rhode Island, top-ranking Democrat on
Subcommittee on Housing & Transportation
House
Transportation & Infrastructure (T&I)
Committee
Has
jurisdiction over the full surface transportation
program, and the rail and aviation bills.
Rep.
Don Young from Alaska, Chair
Rep.
Jim Oberstar from Minnesota, top-ranking Democrat
Rep.
Tom Petri from Wisconsin, Vice-Chair & Chair of
Subcommittee on Highways & Transit
Rep.
Bill Lipinski from Illinois, top-ranking Democrat on
Subcommittee on Highways & Transit
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Health
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