Lucille Roybal-Allard: “the Republican budget is short- sighted in its policy assumptions on transportation spendings. By singling out mass…”

“the Republican budget is short- sighted in its policy assumptions on transportation spendings. By singling out mass transit for executive cuts in transportation programs, the Republicans retreat from the ISTEA agreement of 91. Although transit represents approximately 10 percent of the 1996 transportation budget, it receives nearly 50 percent of the cuts in outlays. And while maintaining the Federal match on highway projects at 80 percent, the majority jeopardizes mass transit by lowering the Federal match to 50 percent. Under these revised incentives, local planners will inevitably choose highway projects at the expense of much needed mass transit. Also, the phasing out of operating assistance will lead to fare increases, service cuts, and layoffs. This proposal would disconnect thousands of low-income workers from their jobs, isolate many elderly from their daily business and from health care. In addition, the budget terminates funding for new start programs which provide commuting alternatives to some of our fastest growing cities. Rail expansion in areas such as St. Louis, Los Angeles, Portland, New Jersey, and the Sunbelt States will be directly threatened by elimination of new starts funding. The majority's budget is shortsighted and wrong in its effort to pull Federal support from transit planning and programs until the transit needs of urban America are fully met. I urge a ``no'' vote.”