• Mission & Governance
• Member Services
• How to Get Involved
• Standing Committees
• NCSL Foundation

• Issue Areas: A-Z
• State-Federal Relations
• NCSL Standing Committees
• News from D.C. and the States

• About State Legislatures
• Elections, Campaigns & Redistricting
• NCSL's StateConnect Directory
• Web Sites

• Online Guide to NCSL Services
• Staff Sections and Networks
• Meetings & Professional Development
• Staff Directories

• Meetings Calendar
• Online Registration
• Meetings Home Page
• Legislative Summit

• Bookstore
• State Legislatures Magazine
• NCSL's StateConnect Directory

Transportation Committee

March 12, 2008

The Honorable Ben Nelson
United States Senate
720 Hart Senate Office Building
Washington, D.C.   20510

RE:      AMENDMENT 4212 TO S. CON. RES. 70

Dear Senator Nelson:

The National Conference of State Legislatures (NCSL) thanks you for your initiative and supports Amendment #4212 to S. Con. Res 70.  This amendment would increase the additional amount of funding set aside for transportation infrastructure in a potential second economic stimulus package.

NCSL supports S. Con. Res. 70 as passed by the Senate Budget Committee for its provisions that continue or expand our collaborative efforts on numerous state-federal programs, that avoid cost shifts to states and that attempt to ameliorate the burdens of unfunded federal mandates on state budgets. Our support was conveyed in a separate letter to the full Senate on March 11.  S. Con. Res. 70 also leaves the door open for consideration of a second economic stimulus package, which could include state fiscal relief and additional funding for various other priorities NCSL has noted in prior communications.

NCSL is particularly supportive of the resolution's dedication of funds to infrastructure projects and your bipartisan efforts to double the funds available.  Investments in transportation infrastructure immediately create many good-paying jobs while simultaneously contributing to congestion relief that benefits current economies and future economic development.  The proposed transportation investments will have the added benefit of easing anxieties about the projected shortfall in the Highway Trust Fund in FY2009, allowing states to continue to make full investments in current and planned projects, while offering a smoother transition to the next surface transportation authorization bill.

NCSL encourages the Senate to adopt Amendment #4212 and S. Con. Res. 70.  Please contact Michael Bird (mailto:michael.bird@ncsl.org; 202-624-8686) or Jeremy Meadows (jeremy.meadows@ncsl.org; 202-624-8664) in NCSL's Washington office with any questions or concerns.

Best regards,

Representative Daniel P. Silva
New Mexico House of Representatives
Chair, NCSL Transportation Committee

 Download PDF Version (To view PDF files, you must install Adobe Acrobat Reader.)