New six-governor task force set for TEA-21 reauthorization

Gov. Edward Rendell (D-Pa.) and Gov. John Hoeven (R-N.D.) will serve as co-chairs. Also serving on the task force will be Governors Patton, NGA Vice Chair Dirk Kempthorne (R-Idaho), Mike Johanns (R-Neb.), chair of the economic development committee, and James McGreevey (D-N.J.), vice chair of the committee.

The National Governors Association, under Patton's leadership, was instrumental in working with members of Congress to achieve a $31.8 billion highway funding level. The NGA's effort began last year when then-Chairman Gov. John Engler (R-Mich.) and Vice Chairman Patton made full funding of highways a top priority, enlisting 46 governors in the fight to restore a $8.6 billion cut proposed by the Bush Administration.

"Governors understand very directly the importance of transportation investment to jobs creation and to maintaining economic growth," said John Horsley, American Association of State Highway & Transportation Officials executive director. "The FY 2003 funding level could not have been achieved without their strong support."