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Energy & Transportation Update
An Information Service of the AFI Energy and Transportation Committee
March 7, 2000
Surface Transportation
TEA-21 is Heavily Amended
Recent Action: On Feb. 28 the Clinton administration sent legislation to officially amend TEA-21. The new changes to TEA-21 would give Congress guidelines for the changes as proposed in the administration's FY 2001 budget proposed Feb. 7. The proposal would reorder TEA-21 priorities, changing the allocation of funds to the states. The highway funds would be spent on Amtrak priority transportation programs. TEA-21 would be amended to $398 million would be redirected to new contract authority for Emergency Relief Reserve Fund and millions would be rerouted as well to the Revenue Aligned Budget Authority (RABA).
NCSL Position: NCSL is opposed to any efforts to redirect RABA revenues and strongly believes the formulas should remain untouched.
RABA Funds High-Speed Rail
Recent Action: The administration proposed in the new legislation that TEA-21 would be amended to allow $468 million of $3 billion in a surge in gasoline tax revenue to be spent on Amtrak's high-speed rail program. Under the new proposal grants will be made to the states or Amtrak for up to 50 percent of the cost of investments improving intercity rail service, including investment needed to fund high-speed rail.
NCSL Position: NCSL advocates strong support for Amtrak and high-speed rail as a viable transportation alternative for states that could help alleviate congestion on roadways and improve air quality. However, NCSL firmly believes that funding for high-speed rail projects should not come from RABA.
New Emergency Reserve Fund
Recent Action: The administration is requesting authorization to use a large portion of RABA on rail but also several other programs. The legislation asks for RABA to fund:
- $145 million for Indian reservations roads and for research programs
- $108 million to benefiting programs that support transportation in the Mississippi Delta region; welfare-to-work funding; and a pilot program for commercial drivers' licenses
Along with redirecting the RABA funds, the administration is also seeking to create extra contract for: $221 million for surface transportation safety, environmental and mobility-enhancement research and $398 million for the new Emergency Relief Reserve Fund
Aviation
User Fee Proposal
Recent Action: Congress is trying to reach agreements on fund treatment of aviation. While taking aviation spending off-budget appears dead, there is support for many of the issues NCSL is most concerned about. It appears likely that there will be general fund support for FAA which will alleviate the airport's fiscal constraints. There may be a $1.50 increase in passenger facility change.
NCSL Position: NCSL supports the preservation of General Fund contributions for the FAA and EAS. While NCSL supports the user fee component of the federal aviation program, we argue that General Fund contributions, as well as trust fund monies already collected should be used before fees are increased.
Questions about this publication should be directed to:
Eileen Doherty (202) 624-8687, Committee Director
Laurie Holmes (202) 624-8695, Committee Assistant
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