$545 billion needed for nation's transportation programs

Enactment of the FY 2010 budget resolution "will be the starting point as the House considers the new surface transportation authorization bill," Kansas Secretary of Transportation Deb Miller testified March 18 before the House Budget Committee.

Appearing on behalf of the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials, Miller outlined a six-year, multi-modal transportation investment that includes:

• $375 billion for highways;
• $93 billion for transit;
• $42 billion for freight, from outside the Highway Trust Fund; and
• $35 billion for intercity passenger rail, also from outside the Highway Trust Fund.

Miller noted that even before addressing authorization, however, the Congress must ensure that the Highway Trust Fund has sufficient revenue to fund the current program. An $8 billion transfer made by Congress last September may not be sufficient to last through the year, she said.

The problem worsens next year, she said, noting, "Revenues are flowing into the Highway Trust Fund at a rate billions of dollars below the current rate of obligations for future spending. Come October 1, unless Congress closes this gap, the highway program will face a cutback of $20 billion or more for FY 2010. The transit program will face a $5 billion reduction one year later. It is vital, at a minimum, to sustain the current highway and transit programs at no less than their current levels of funding."

Miller's complete testimony may be accessed at AASHTO Oral Statement.