Mike Levin: “I must note to my colleagues that the procedure that has been used here on the floor today for consideration of this…”

“I must note to my colleagues that the procedure that has been used here on the floor today for consideration of this conference report is outrageous. Despite the process followed here, I intend to vote for this bill, based on the representations about Michigan's share of highway funds made in the incomplete charts provided by the Conference Committee. The best judgement I can exercise at this point is to support the apparent increases provided to my state. According to these charts, Michigan will receive an annual average of $825 million per year from the Highway Trust Fund, an increase of $310 million over the ISTEA I average. Our percentage return on the dollars distributed will rise from approximately 84% to 90.5% and is guaranteed to go no lower. And, our share of the total funds going to the states will increase from approximately 2.87% to 3.16%, close to the Senate bill's mark. If the factual matter in those charts proves to be inaccurate, I, and I am sure my donor state colleagues, will seek corrective action. Michigan and the nation are making some significant progress with the passage of this bill.”