Bud Shuster: “The proposed amendment would impose burdensome new requirements on States and metropolitan planning organizations…”

“The proposed amendment would impose burdensome new requirements on States and metropolitan planning organizations, significantly delaying project selection and construction. States and MPOs already, under current law, are subject to extensive planning requirements and take multiple factors into accountant in developing their short- and long-range plans. It is critical that they have the flexibility to weigh tradeoffs in different priorities without being hamstrung by a strict ranking process. Transparency and the opportunity for participation by stakeholders and the public is a hallmark of the planning process. States and MPOs are required to have a participation plan to ensure that any interested party can be heard. The National Governors Association, the National Conference of State Legislatures, the Association of Metropolitan Planning Organizations, and the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials all oppose this amendment, and they are the very people that deal with this. I oppose the amendment, and I would urge all my colleagues to oppose it, also. I yield back the balance of my time. Mr. DeSAULNIER. Mr. Chairman, how much time do I have left? The Acting CHAIR. The gentleman from California has 2\1/2\ minutes remaining. Mr. DeSAULNIER. Mr. Chair, with all due respect to the chairman, I want to thank him for his consideration.…”