James Oberstar: “I have never been supportive of toll roads. Current law allows toll credits only when that toll road has been built…”

“I have never been supportive of toll roads. Current law allows toll credits only when that toll road has been built without Federal aid. This amendment would extend an already, in my view, unacceptable principle further. It would extend to roads built with Federal assistance the credit that then could be applied to other projects. I just think that is not a good policy direction. I do not think we ought to be encouraging more toll road developments. It is not going to expand the universe of roads. Toll roads are just kind of a one-time hit. We are establishing in this legislation a national program of continuing existence with the Highway Trust Fund. The only problem with it is we are not putting enough money into it for the next 6 years, and we will do that after the next year after we get through this election. So we really ought not to be moving in this direction, and I assume the chairman agrees with me on this.”