Political Quotes

“I join the majority of my colleagues today in expressing strong support for the reauthorization of the Intermodal Surface Transportation Efficiency Act, otherwise known as ``ISTEA.'' I was a proud supporter of this legislation in 1991 and continue to support its goals today. While the acronym ``ISTEA'' is often joked about, it does share at least one quality of the popular summer drink--It is refreshing. ISTEA also represents a revolutionary change from past transportation legislation and a shift toward an integrated, intermodal transportation system to promote efficiency and economic growth. Some of its major provisions include: assurance that gas tax dollars are used for transportation purposes, greater planning authority for state and local governments, increased research for innovative technologies such as intelligent vehicle highway systems, and funding for environmental protection activities. A reauthorized ISTEA should continue to recognize regional differences, but at the same time, recognize that our transportation system is a national system.”