[Congressional Record Volume 144, Number 67 (Friday, May 22, 1998)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E979-E980]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




  FLOOR STATEMENT ON THE INTRODUCTION OF THE METROPOLITAN WASHINGTON 
                      REGIONAL TRANSPORTATION ACT

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. JAMES P. MORAN

                              of virginia

                    in the house of representatives

                          Friday, May 22, 1998

  Mr. MORAN of Virginia. Mr. Speaker, today I am introducing the 
``Metropolitan Washington Regional Transportation Act'' with my 
colleague, Senator Chuck Robb, to address the traffic congestion 
problems within the metropolitan Washington D.C. region. We now have 
the second longest average commuting time in the nation.
  According to the Greater Washington Board of Trade, this increased 
commuting time and congestion costs each man, woman, and child in the 
region more than $800 per year in lost time, wasted fuel, and 
environmental damage. Long commutes and traffic congestion have also 
become quality of life issues to area residents, robbing many families 
of the one commodity Washingtonians never seem to have enough of--time. 
Some drivers facing a longer commute have even become a safety hazard 
as they race recklessly to cut a precious few minutes form their daily 
commute. Last year's tragedies on I-95 and the George Washington 
Parkway are still fresh on everyone's mind. For those who lack cars, 
the distance between employment opportunities and affordable housing 
has grown more and more difficult to traverse. Our economic prosperity 
and quality of life hinge on improving our congestion problem.
  Unfortunately, as we look to the future the traffic situation only 
grows worse. Even with increase in federal funds Virginia will receive 
under legislation reauthorizing federal surface transportation 
programs, this region will still fall seriously short of meeting the 
growing demand for transportation improvements. For the period of 1990 
through 2020, this region can expect both a 43 percent increase in 
population and 43 percent increase in employment. This growth and 
increased dependency on the automobile is expected to increase by 79 
percent the number of vehicle miles traveled in the region by 2020.
  The Board of Trade estimates that transportation spending is expected 
to fall short of the region's transportation needs by more than $500 
million annually. Any solution to current and future congestion demands 
strategic investment in both our road and mass transit system. It 
demands better land use and planning decisions and better 
interjurisdictional cooperation. And it also demands that this region 
come together and raise additional revenue to finance priority 
transportation projects that will provide immediate congestion relief.
  It may not be a popular idea, but we have to do more, and we have to 
do it ourselves. Federal and state taxes levied on our citizens will 
always take a ``haircut'' on before spending any of the balance back in 
this region. It seems to me, that the only way to ensure that we get 
100 percent of funds we need is to raise more ourselves and spend them 
locally. It is also a process that ensures that the money gets spent 
where we determine it is needed most. I think the key to public support 
is identifying a list of priority projects that could be completed on a 
fast track providing the public with the assurances that their 
additional tax dollars will buy specific congestion relief. A large 
number of urban communities have already established a dedicated 
funding source for their transit systems.

  In the past, leaders from this region have shared a vision and worked 
successfully together to address important transportation needs, 
through such institutions as the Metropolitan Washington Airports 
Authority, the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority, and the 
National Capital Region Transportation Planning Board at the 
Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments. We need a similar 
vision to carry us forward another 30 years.
  The Metropolitan Washington Regional Transportation Act will help us 
craft this vision. The legislation we are introducing has five key 
elements: (1) It provides a new option to help the metropolitan 
Washington region more effectively address its transportation needs; 
(2) it empowers the National Capital Region Transportation Planning 
Board to consult with the metropolitan Washington region jurisdictions 
and the public to achieve consensus on a list of critical 
transportation projects and a funding mechanism that are needed to 
address the growing congestion crisis in the region but cannot be 
funded within the current and forecasted federal, state and local 
funding levels for such projects; (3) it establishes a Corporation with 
the power to accept revenue and issue debt to provide short-term 
funding for projects that have been agreed to by the region; (4) it 
grants consent to the metropolitan Washington region jurisdictions to 
enter into an interstate compact or agreement that would help meet the 
region's long-term transportation needs; and (5) it provides $60 
million in matching federal grants as an incentive to encourage the 
creation of the federal corporation.
  This legislation provides a framework under which a regional 
transportation needs could be addressed. It requires consultation with 
state and local officials at every level and in an effort to win state 
support, the legislation preciously guards state control of both the 
corporation and the authority through veto power.

[[Page E980]]

It does not raise anyone's taxes, but it does provide a mechanism or a 
``vessel'' through which the local jurisdictions could coordinate and 
commit future revenues to finance the construction of specific 
transportation projects that otherwise will not get built or built 
anytime soon.
  The ``Metropolitan Washington Regional Transportation Act'' gives us 
a choice and helps start a debate on how we should take control and 
improve our future transportation system and improve our quality of 
life. Our failure to act and meet our transportation needs will have a 
much higher cost. The Board of Trade places the cumulative regional 
economic losses from the failure to meet our transportation needs in 
the year 2020 at between $70.2 billion to $182 billion.
  That economic loss includes: a 350 percent or $345 million increase 
in shipping costs; $1.3 billion to $2.6 billion in higher warehousing 
and inventory costs; $1,365 per household per year higher consumer 
costs; and more than $1,000 per household per year in higher personal 
travel costs.
  Mr. Speaker, this region has a choice. I am optimistic that when 
given the facts and the various options our citizens and elected 
officials will take control of our emerging transportation crisis and 
make the right choice.
  I am including with my statement a copy of a letter supporting this 
legislation that was received from the county chairs and mayors of all 
eight Northern Virginia jurisdictions. This letter reflects a 
commitment local leaders have made to let this debate go forward and 
make some tough decisions. I applaud their leadership.
  I would also like to express my appreciation to Fairfax City Mayor 
John Mason and the Metropolitan Washington Council of Government for 
generating critical local support and throughtful counsel on crafting 
this proposal.

     Hon. Charles C. Robb,
     U.S. Senate, Washington, DC.
     Hon. James P. Moran,
     U.S. House of Representatives, Washington, DC.
       Dear Senator Robb and Mr. Moran: We, the mayors and chairs 
     of the Northern Virginia cities and counties, appreciate and 
     support legislation you are preparing to introduce that is 
     designed to help meet this region's critical transportation 
     needs through improved coordination, cooperation and 
     additional funding. We believe the approach outlined in the 
     Metropolitan Washington Regional Transportation Act will 
     provide a mechanism to address the serious shortfall in 
     funding for transportation infrastructure needs in the 
     metropolitan Washington region.
       The Washington region is unique. We are the only 
     metropolitan area in which multiple states and a Federal 
     district are engaged in addressing transportation issues. As 
     noted in your discussion draft for the proposed Act, it is in 
     the Nation's interest that the region have a transportation 
     system that is supportive of the Federal interest in having 
     an efficient and effective regional transportation system, as 
     well as our role in being an international tourist attraction 
     (some 20,000,000 visitors today; anticipated to be 40,000,000 
     in 20 years).
       Your proposed legislation touches on the two key elements 
     that are needed to stimulate additional funding in the 
     Washington region--a ``mechanism'' that can receive and 
     distribute funds as well as upfront funding from the Congress 
     that will ``prime the pump.'' We are clear that the proposed 
     ``mechanism'' does not have independent taxing authority.
       We, the elected leaders of Northern Virginia's cities and 
     counties, appreciate your efforts on the region's behalf. We 
     encourage and strongly support your initiative.
       With warm personal regards,
           Yours sincerely,
         Mayor, City of Alexandria, Mayor, City of Fairfax, Mayor, 
           City of Falls Church, Mayor, City of Manassas, 
           Chairman, Arlington County Board, Chairman, Fairfax 
           County Board of Supervisors, Chairman, Loudoun County 
           Board of Supervisors, Chairman, Prince William Board of 
           County Supervisors.

           

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