RESOLUTION 2003-169

 

SUPPORT FOR THE U. S. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

TRANSPORTATION AND INFRASTRUCTURE COMMITTEE’S

FEDERAL TRANSPORTATION FUNDING PROPOSAL

 

WHEREAS, strategic investment in transportation infrastructure enhances safety, reduces congestion, improves air quality, increases mobility options for residents and workers, elevates the economic attractiveness of our region, and enriches the quality of life for our citizens; and

 

WHEREAS, Congress is currently reauthorizing the Transportation Equity Act for the 21st Century (TEA-21), the federal transportation infrastructure funding program; and

 

WHEREAS, Congress has approved a five month extension of TEA-21, which was set to expire on September 30, 2003; and

 

WHEREAS, TEA-21 was responsible for funding local and regional transportation projects that have improved transportation in our region; and

 

WHEREAS, TEA-21 funding formulas did not produce an equitable return on the Highway Trust Fund revenues generated in Illinois; and

 

WHEREAS, as a result of this inequitable return, a significant number of critical transportation maintenance and system expansion projects throughout the Chicago region remains to be addressed; and

 

WHEREAS, the Village of Vernon Hills is a member of the Northwest Municipal Conference; and

 

WHEREAS, the Northwest Municipal Conference, through Resolution 2003-5, outlined a strategy for the TEA-21 reauthorization that would expand the level of funding received by the State of Illinois to address these maintenance and system expansion projects; and

 

WHEREAS, the U. S. House of Representatives Transportation and Infrastructure Committee has proposed a reauthorization of TEA-21 that would provide $375 billion in funding over the next six years; and

 

WHEREAS, the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee’s proposal would produce a significant increase in funding for both highway and transit projects over TEA-21 levels; and

 

WHEREAS, the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee’s proposal would provide a substantial increase in federal funding directly to Illinois, allowing the state to address both the maintenance and system expansion projects; and

 

WHEREAS, the transportation needs of the State of Illinois, the Chicago region, and the communities of the Northwest Municipal Conference would be best served by passage of the $375 billion House Transportation and Infrastructure proposal.

           

 

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Village of Vernon Hills expresses strong support for the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee’s TEA-21 reauthorization proposal; and

 

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the Village of Vernon Hills firmly believes that funding transportation infrastructure at this level will provide immediate and long-term economic benefits that far exceed the amount of this investment; and

 

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that copies of this Resolution be forwarded to Senators Durbin and Fitzgerald, Speaker Hastert, and Representative Kirk.

 

Passed this 4th day of November 2003

Approved this 4th day of November 2003

 

 

                                                                                    ___________________________________

                                                                                    Roger L. Byrne

                                                                                    Village President

 

 

 

 

ATTEST:  _____________________________

Jeanne M. Schwartz

Village Clerk