[Congressional Record Volume 160, Number 134 (Thursday, September 18, 2014)]
[Senate]
[Page S5794]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]

      By Mr. BOOKER (for himself, Mr. Wicker, Mr. Begich, Mr. Cochran, 
        and Mr. Casey):
  S. 2891. A bill to amend title 23, United States Code, to direct the 
Secretary of Transportation to establish an innovation in surface 
transportation program, and for other purposes; to the Committee on 
Environment and Public Works.
  Mr. BOOKER. Mr. President, I rise today to introduce with Senate 
colleagues the Innovation in Surface Transportation Act, which will 
spur economic development and include more local stakeholders in 
transportation projects. I am proud to join with Senators Wicker, 
Begich, Cochran, and Casey to sponsor this important bipartisan 
legislation.
  As a former Mayor, I understand local leaders are often in the best 
position to make sound, cost-effective investment decisions to boost 
the local economy. Today, our cities, towns and suburbs are not getting 
the transportation investments they need to remain competitive and 
attract the kind of investment needed to create jobs and put more 
people to work.
  This legislation establishes a statewide program of competitive 
grants to local communities overseen by a diverse selection panel, 
including state Departments of Transportation, local jurisdictions, 
port authorities, and representatives from air quality and safety 
organizations. This innovative proposal would encourage communities to 
compete against their peers, and stretch to make the most of every 
project and every dollar. Recognizing each state and region has 
different transportation needs, the panel would create criteria 
specific to their State's needs, such as improving the movement of 
freight, or connecting low-income communities to jobs. The bill would 
also require a metric-based, objective, fully transparent process based 
off critical criteria, such as return on investment, job creation, and 
reducing environmental impacts.
  The most cost-effective and economically important projects will rise 
to the top, which will help communities across the country meet the 
great challenge of maintaining aging infrastructure and preparing for 
future growth with constrained funding.
  I look forward to working with my colleagues to build further support 
for this legislation and continue working to provide long-term 
transportation investment that strengthens communities across the 
nation.
                                 ______