Political Quotes

“we have had a good debate, a prolonged debate, on S. 1173, the surface transportation bill, or the highway bill, as it is known in my State of Mississippi. It is now time to pass it and get to work on a conference report with the other body to meet the May 1 expiration of current law. There is a tremendous backlog of road, bridge and highway projects in every state. Some have estimated that our national investment in highways per vehicle miles of travel decreased by 56 percent during the last 25 years while vehicle travel has increased by 123 percent. This illustrates the problem and explains why we have such a serious need to address this legislation and complete our work so the states can start work on the projects this bill will fund. I am very pleased that the bill allocates the money on a much more fair and equitable basis than the current formula. Mississippi will get over 90 percent, at least, of the highway tax contributions it makes to the trust fund. That is a lot better than the 83 percent my State is now receiving. I'm also pleased that the bill gives the states more flexibility to spend the money they get from the trust fund on road, highway and other transportation projects that they identify as their priorities rather than having to abide by federal priorities that don't coincide with state needs.”