Political Quotes

“Mr. Chairman, I can't imagine why we would want to micromanage Pennsylvania's transportation system. I wouldn't want the body micromanaging North Carolina's. We had a decision about tolling in my district a few years ago. Tolling wasn't anybody's first choice or second choice or third choice. But if tolling had not been instituted on a part of the loop road around Raleigh, North Carolina, if tolling had not been instituted, we would have waited 20 years for the road to be constructed. So we took a deep breath and we undertook a toll project, and that is why the road is built and serving commuters today. Now, that decision could have gone either way, but we would have had no business in this body coming in and dictating that decision in North Carolina or any other State. I don't know why we should start tonight. Federal law is very flexible about the use of Federal aid funds for new toll facilities and even existing toll-free roads. States will make different decisions about this. I would say our infrastructure needs are pressing enough to require an all-of-the-above approach, and if tolls are appropriate and are accepted, then that is perhaps what we should do. But that is a decision for State and local officials and their constituents in considering these matters. We have no business in adopting an amendment of that sort, and I very much hope we will not. Mr. Chair, I reserve the balance of my time.”