[Congressional Record Volume 143, Number 58 (Wednesday, May 7, 1997)]
[House]
[Page H2260]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                          ISTEA FUNDING EQUITY

  (Ms. BROWN of Florida asked and was given permission to address the 
House for 1 minute and to revise and extend her remarks.)
  Ms. BROWN of Florida. Mr. Speaker, the time is right for funding 
equity. Mr. Speaker, I rise to urge my colleagues to support funding 
equity when the House considers the ISTEA reauthorization bill. 
According to a GAO report, the current funding formula used to 
distribute billions of transportation funds is flawed.
  My State of Florida is a perfect example of what is wrong with the 
formula. Florida is the fourth most populated State, third in the 
number of automobiles on the road, third in the number of automobiles 
miles traveled, third in the amount of money that our citizens 
contribute to the Federal Highway Trust Fund. Yet, Florida's average 
return on each dollar has been 79 cents since 1956, 45th in the Nation.

                              {time}  1130

  Under the fourth year of ISTEA, Florida will drop to 77 cents for 
every dollar, 46th in the Nation. The ISTEA reauthorization bill must 
include a formula that is based on current reasonable and appropriate 
factors.

                          ____________________