[Congressional Record Volume 148, Number 108 (Thursday, August 1, 2002)]
[Senate]
[Page S7929]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]

      By Mr. INHOFE:
  S. 2861. A bill to empower States with authority for most taxing and 
spending for highway programs and mass transit programs, and for other 
purposes; to the Committee on Finance.
  Mr. INHOFE. Mr. President; I introduce The Transportation Empowerment 
Act which will allow states to keep a majority of the federal gas tax 
dollars raised in their state. Similar to legislation introduced by our 
former colleague Connie Mack, ``The Transportation Empowerment Act'' 
restores to states and local communities the ability to make their own 
transportation decisions without the interference of Washington.
  This proposal is very straightforward. It streamlines the federal-aid 
highway program into four core areas: Interstate, Federal Lands, Safety 
and Research. The proposed bill provides for continued general fund 
support for transit grants and authorizes states to enter into multi 
state compacts for planning and financing regional transportation 
needs.
  The federal tax is kept in place for a four-year transition period, 
beginning in FY04. After funding the core programs and paying off 
outstanding bills, the balance is returned to the states in a block 
grant. At the end of the transition period, in FY07, the federal tax is 
reduced to two cents per gallon.
  I have long believed that the best decisions are those made at the 
local level. Unfortunately, many of the transportation choices made by 
cities and states are governed by federal rules and regulations. This 
bill returns to states the responsibility and resources to make their 
own transportation decisions.
                                 ______