SR0428

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SENATE RESOLUTION


 
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    WHEREAS, The Federal Transportation Equity Act for the 21st 
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Century (TEA-21 or T-21) provided approximately $218 billion 
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for highway and transit programs and was to expire October 1, 
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2003, before Congress extended the Act until February 29, 2004; 
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and
 

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    WHEREAS, Current legislation before the United States 
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Congress proposes to again extend TEA-21 for several more 
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months; and
 

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    WHEREAS, Illinois has traditionally been a "donor state" of 
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highway and transit programs, receiving approximately $.92 
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back from every $1.00 sent to Washington, D.C., in the form of 
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gas tax user fees; and
 

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    WHEREAS, Additional extensions of TEA-21 will continue to 
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require Illinois to pay an excessive and a disproportionate 
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amount of tax dollars to the federal highway system than is 
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received by Illinois for our highways and mass transit needs; 
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and
 

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    WHEREAS, TEA-21 empowers local decision makers to develop 
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innovative solutions and new transportation options; and
 

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    WHEREAS, TEA-21 legislation will affect traffic congestion 
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and commute times for drivers and transit riders alike; and
 

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    WHEREAS, The Illinois road program is currently headed in 
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an adverse direction with a current year diversion of $380 
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million and this diversion means a loss of construction jobs 
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which places a roadblock to a rebounding economy; and
 

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    WHEREAS, Federal highways generate more than $64 billion in 
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economic growth nationally each year; and
 

 


 






SR0428
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LRB093 21314 HSS 47600 r




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    WHEREAS, The Illinois members of the 108th Congress are 
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capable of the leadership necessary to pass new TEA-21 
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legislation that treats Illinois fairly and provides a more 
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proportionate return of Illinois citizens' tax dollars; and
 

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    WHEREAS, The State of Illinois would be able to utilize 
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funds from new TEA-21 legislation to promote economic 
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development and maximize construction projects that will 
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create good-paying jobs; therefore, be it
 

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    RESOLVED, BY THE SENATE OF THE NINETY-THIRD GENERAL 
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ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we urge the United 
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States Congress and the President of the United States to pass 
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bipartisan TEA-21 legislation to create new programs for 
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transportation that fairly distribute funding for highway 
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development amongst the states; and be it further
 

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    RESOLVED, That copies of this resolution be transmitted to 
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each member  of  the  Illinois  Congressional delegation,  the  
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Speaker  of  the  United  States  House  of Representatives, the 
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Majority Leader  of  the  United  States Senate, and the President 
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of the United States.