Jon Kyl: “I understand the need for a good highway and transit bill. As debate on this bill has dragged on over the last year and…”

“I understand the need for a good highway and transit bill. As debate on this bill has dragged on over the last year and a half, I have heard from many Arizonans in industry, as well as users of our surface transportation system detailing the pressing needs in our state. But throughout that time, I have expressed concern that the reauthorization legislation that has been brought before this Chamber has had certain fundamental deficiencies. The conference report before us today preserves two of the most objectionable defects: a grossly unfair formula for apportioning highway funds among the States and a staggering quantity of pork-barrel earmarks. It is simply impossible to explain to my constituents why more than 9.5 cents out of every dollar in gas taxes they pay at the pump goes to subsidize road construction in other States. And while it is true that this conference report makes the barest progress toward equity by ensuring that rate of return to high-growth States like Arizona will inch up to 92 cents on the dollar, I believe that much more progress could have been attained given that this bill expends some 30 percent more than its predecessor. This conference report preserves Arizona's rock-bottom standing in the donor/done sweepstakes.…”