[Congressional Record Volume 147, Number 90 (Tuesday, June 26, 2001)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1213]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


                          CORRIDORONE FUNDING

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. GEORGE W. GEKAS

                            of pennsylvania

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, June 26, 2001

  Mr. GEKAS. Mr. Speaker, I am joined in my remarks by my fellow 
colleagues from Pennsylvania, Representative Pitts and Representative 
Platts. We would like to take this opportunity to note that language 
was included in the FY'02 Transportation Appropriations bill that 
reallocated unexpended funds from previous appropriations acts for 
various projects around the country. Much to our surprise, and 
disappointment, a project which is critical to the central Pennsylvania 
region--the CORRIDORone project--was on the list to be rescinded.
  The report language from the Committee states ``these sums are not 
needed due to changing local circumstances or are in excess of project 
needs.'' Upon further inquiry, I was informed by the Subcommittee that 
these funds for the CORRIDORone project were being reallocated because 
it was presumed the funds would not be obligated by the September 30, 
2001 deadline. However, this is not the case. Capital Area Transit 
(CAT), the local agency responsible for the project, is proceeding 
through the Federal Transit Administration (FTA) approval process and 
is expected to obligate the funds within a few short weeks, well before 
the September 30 deadline. I am at a loss as to why it was thought that 
these funds would not be obligated. How this misinformation came to be 
I do not know, but it saddens me that such a vital project for the 
central Pennsylvania region, and one which has the support of state, 
local, business, and environmental leaders would suffer such a serious 
setback due to faulty information.
  Representatives Gekas, Pitts, and Platts have written to Chairman 
Rogers requesting that the project be removed from the reallocation 
list or at the very least be granted an extension of one year in order 
to utilize funds already appropriated and desperately needed. We have 
also written to the FTA requesting an explanation of their decision to 
recommend that CORRIDORone's FY '99 funds be reallocated.
  Mr. Speaker, if FY '99 funds were reallocated, CAT would lose half of 
all federal funds appropriated for CORRIDORone to date. Coupled with 
the fact that no additional funds were appropriated for the project 
this year, reallocation of half its federal funds would almost 
certainly prevent CAT from completing the CORRIDORone project. If 
central Pennsylvania is to successfully move into the 21st century, 
such an investment in Pennsylvania's future can not be abandoned at 
this crucial hour.
  We look forward to working with the Appropriations Committee to 
rectifying the situation, but hope that FTA approval to obligate funds 
will satisfy the Committee and prevent reallocation.

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