TEA-21 renewal moves forward in U.S. House

America Bikes gave the following update on recent developments in the TEA-21 renewal process. TEA-21 is the federal highway funding bill, which broadly sets federal transportation policy and priorities.

Today the House Transportation & Infrastructure Committee passed their reauthorization bill, TEA-LU (H.R. 3550). Bowing to pressure from the administration, they reduced the funding level from $375 billion to $275 billion for the six year bill. They inserted a "reopener" clause that will allow them to revisit the bill next year in hopes of adding additional funding.

We have not yet seen actual bill language, though we're told that core programs were retained with "proportional cuts." We're told that Safe Routes has been reduced to $1 billion over six years, down from $1.5 billion in the original bill. Rec Trails dropped from $700 million over six years to $500 million. These cuts are less drastic than we had anticipated (that's good!). We don't think Complete Streets language was included. More details tomorrow once we've read the 800 page bill.

It was a rather strange and obfuscated process. Some T&I; Committee members introduced amendments, but then withdrew them, based on a promise from Committee leadership to work with members on incorporating items into the bill before it goes to the floor. The full House could consider the bill as soon as next week, and few amendments are expected during that process either.

Speaker of the House Tom DeLay (R-TX) is reportedly unhappy with the amount of money Texas gets from the bill, so he may attempt to drastically overhaul the legislation. But who knows. If and when the House passes their bill, differences between the House and Senate bill will be reconciled in conference committee, then the bill goes to the President. The President has threatened a veto, as he might decide that this bill is where he proves that he is fiscally conservative.

There was a great editorial in the New York Times today linking obesity to the transportation bill. While we might have liked a slightly more positive spin (Safe Routes is a good thing), it's great to see our issues discussed in prominent national media.