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Discussion support for Transportation Enhancements
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Whereas, Congress established Transportation Enhancements (TE) in 1991 as a guarantee to America's communities that a small percentage of gas tax dollars would be targeted to small-scale, locally-initiated transportation projects, as part of an effort to create balanced, intermodal transportation networks which address community concerns; and
Whereas, TE is the largest source of federal funding for pedestrian, bicycle and trail facilities, and also beautifies our roadways with landscaping, and protects our scenic and historic resources; and
Whereas, the TE program has supported more than 16,000 local transportation projects in almost every county and Congressional District in the country, making American communities better places to live by inspiring community revitalization, creating safe places to walk and bicycle, restoring historic transportation infrastructure, and sparking hometown pride; and
Whereas, TE accounts for approximately one-and-a-half cents per federal surface transportation dollar, but produces an exceptionally popular program which promotes health, safety, economic development and community pride; and
Whereas, on July 24, 2003, the United States House Appropriations Committee voted to eliminate funding for Transportation Enhancements in Section 114 of the transportation appropriations bill, even as the bill increased highway spending by $4.5 billion more than the President's request; and
Whereas, the transportation appropriations bill, now known as H.R. 2989, will be voted on by the full House of Representatives in early September, at which time an amendment will be offered to reverse the committee action and restore the funding set-aside for TE; now therefore
Be It Resolved, that the Rochester Hills City Council expresses its unequivocal support of Transportation Enhancements, and asks the United States House of Representatives to restore full, guaranteed fu...
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