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90_SR0081
SRS90SR0009AKge
1 SENATE RESOLUTION
2 WHEREAS, Over the coming weeks our nation will make
3 critical decisions affecting the future of our surface
4 transportation system, both highways and public transit;
5 these decisions will determine both the funding levels and
6 the structure for a federal program aimed at providing our
7 country with a first-rate transportation system; and
8 WHEREAS, By any measure current investment in surface
9 transportation is simply insufficient to meet the needs of
10 our country; most significant, the federal portion of the
11 investment in surface transportation has fallen over the past
12 ten years, and state and local governments have assumed the
13 lion's share of the transportation financing burden; this
14 trend must be reversed; and
15 WHEREAS, Growing Highway Trust Fund revenues will permit
16 significantly higher federal spending for transportation
17 programs over the next five years; a much greater share of
18 Highway Trust Fund revenues can and should be spent for
19 transportation investments than is implied in recent
20 congressional and administration budget proposals; we are
21 aware of and support the movement in Congress for increased
22 transportation spending; and
23 WHEREAS, We are aware that federal fiscal circumstances
24 require prudence in setting spending priorities and continue
25 to support efforts to balance the budget; however, reducing
26 federal transportation investment and allowing our nation's
27 transportation infrastructure to fall further into disrepair
28 will result in lost profits, jobs, and productivity, and
29 ultimately lower tax revenues to the federal government; and
30 WHEREAS, The financing system for surface transportation
31 is well-established and has been highly successful; it is
32 based on the state-federal partnership to use the gas tax for
-2- SRS90SR0009AKge
1 transportation investment; therefore, be it
2 RESOLVED, BY THE SENATE OF THE NINETIETH GENERAL ASSEMBLY
3 OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we urge the U.S. Congress to
4 take the following steps necessary to maintain and strengthen
5 that partnership:
6 (1) reinstate the nation's long-standing policy of
7 dedicating federal transportation-related motor fuel
8 taxes and excise taxes exclusively for transportation
9 purposes; if the 4.3 cents per gallon of fuel tax that is
10 currently being used for General Fund purposes continues
11 to be assessed, it should be deposited in the Highway
12 Trust Fund and used for transportation purposes; and
13 (2) restore the integrity of the dedicated trust
14 fund; all dedicated user fees and the interest accrued on
15 trust fund balances should be promptly distributed for
16 their intended purposes; and be it further
17 RESOLVED, That we pledge our commitment to working with
18 the U.S. Congress and the President on these and other issues
19 important to the future of the nation's surface
20 transportation system; and be it further
21 RESOLVED, That suitable copies of this resolution be
22 delivered to the President pro tempore of the U.S. Senate,
23 the Speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives, and each
24 member of the Illinois congressional delegation.