More than $40 million specifically included for Eighth Congressional District;
Pascrell offers amendment to counter decision by feds on state pay to play reform

U.S. Representative Bill Pascrell, Jr. (NJ-8), a senior member of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, today voted in Committee on the six-year, $283.9 billion Transportation Equity Act: A Legacy for Users (TEA LU) to replace the expiring Transportation Equity Act for the 21st Century, known as TEA-21.  The bill has passed committee and now heads to the House Floor for a vote next week.

This reauthorization is long overdue.  No bill the Congress considers this year will do more to positively affect the quality of life of every single New Jerseyan, said Rep. Pascrell, Member of the House Subcommittee on Highways, Transit, and Pipelines.  I know I am not alone in wishing that we had more funds to make the capital investments to meet the ever growing need.  My state has 1140 people per square mile going every which way.  Without increases to meet our mass transportation needs, we will have to macadam our living rooms to reduce congestion on our roads.

Funding for projects in the Eighth Congressional District include:

• Proposed Passaic-Bergen line deployment program -- $15 million
• Reconstruction of Rt. 46/Rt. 3 interchange -- $12 million
• Route 46 improvements and bridge replacement -- $5 million
• New Jersey Transit Buses and Park and Rides for region -- $3.5 million
• Quinn Road realignment in Clifton -- $3 million
• Clove Road improvements and access in Little Falls -- $2.75 million
• Reconstruction of Hazel Street in Paterson and Clifton -- $2.25 million
• Preliminary engineering missing links within 80/23/46 spaghetti bowl -- $1.5 million
• South Orange Bike/Pedestrian Path -- $500,000
• Union Boulevard Streetscape Project in Totowa -- $500,000

Additionally, in response to the Federal Highway Administrations (FHWA) recent decision to make it difficult, if not impossible, for states to address the serious problem of pay to play scandals, Rep. Pascrell offered an amendment in Committee containing the language of his Pay to Play Reform Protection Act.  This simple amendment, supported by Governor Codey, Common Cause, Democracy 21, the Center for Civic Responsibility, and other good government groups, would allow any State to enact a pay to play reform measure without losing their federal-aid highway dollars.  Pascrell withdrew the amendment once he was assured the Committee would work with him to address New Jerseys concerns.

Such federal intervention is unjustified and counterproductive.  My amendment would make clear that states have the right to ensure that their contracting procedures conform to the highest ethical standards and offer the best value for taxpayers. added Rep. Pascrell.  I am hopeful that both sides of the aisle can work toward a resolution on this issue before the full House votes on TEA-LU next week.

TEA-LU is scheduled to reauthorize federal highway, public transportation, highway safety, and motor carrier safety programs for six years, from fiscal years 2004 through 2009.  Originally introduced in November 2003 at a funding level of $375 billion for six years, pressure from the Bush Administration has decreased the funding level in the House bill to $283.9 billion.

Although there is an increase above the proposal introduced by the Administration two years ago, we deserve more.  The federal government must provide adequate funding to meet new mobility needs in order to spur economic development, stated Rep. Pascrell.

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