John Sarbanes: “I recognize there is a formula allocation. Here is the problem, and I am glad the Senator interjected because I think it…”

“I recognize there is a formula allocation. Here is the problem, and I am glad the Senator interjected because I think it is very important to focus on this problem. I understand the committee's problem. The committee had to do a formula allocation, Members are at them from all over the place, about the formula allocation. Now, I concur with the Senator from New Jersey, and I appreciate his continuing to yield to me for a question. We didn't know what the formula figure was going to be until the committee came out with the formula figure, and then we were presented with this formula figure. So we take a strong hit on the formula which I think does not adequately recognize the kind of transportation challenges with which we are confronted which have a national import. Now, in addition to the formula allocation, there are also other moneys that are available in the legislation--various discretionary programs. The interstate discretionary program is one, the public land highways is another, the Appalachian regional highway program is yet another, and there are others, as well, which can be used if the committee is saying to us we can't do the formula allocation in a way that takes into account all of these considerations. Then the least the committee should do is have these other programs which can then be used to offset the unfavorable impact of the formula allocations. It is my perception that that hasn't been done, as well.”