[Congressional Record Volume 144, Number 15 (Wednesday, February 25, 1998)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E227]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                    EQUITY IN TRANSPORTATION FUNDING

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                            HON. RON PACKARD

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, February 25, 1998

  Mr. PACKARD. Mr. Speaker, as a ``donor state,'' Californians pay more 
in federal taxes at the gas pump than they receive back in federal 
funds for highway construction, bridge, and road maintenance. When 
Congress re-authorizes transportation funding legislation this year, I 
will support equity in transportation funding for California.
  Taxpayers in my state expect their hard-earned tax dollars to be used 
for improvements in their communities and across California. 
Unfortunately, that is rarely the case. The truth is, some of the money 
is always used in some other town, in some other state. Mr. Speaker, we 
should stop asking California taxpayers to pay for highway and 
infrastructure improvements they will likely never see.
  California communities are struggling to maintain their 
infrastructure. Many communities, including those I represent, are 
finding it virtually impossible to keep up with growing populations and 
business development. This is not only unfair, it is becoming unsafe.
  Congress must support more equitable funding formulas for states that 
traditionally pay much more than they receive for their tax dollars, 
especially California. Mr. Speaker, we must enact a fairer 
transportation funding formula this year. I urge my California 
colleagues to unanimously support a funding formula that is fair for 
California taxpayers.

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