May 26, 2010
Twice this year, Durbin has led an effort in the Senate to reject attempts to change federal highway funding formulas in unrelated legislation. The effect of this change would cause 13 states and the District of Columbia to lose more than $515 million in total highway formula funding. Last week, Chairman Jim Oberstar (D-MN) tried for a third time to attach this provision to another unrelated bill – this time a bill designed to extend unemployment benefits and provide middle class tax relief.
In a letter to Illinois Governor Pat Quinn (D-IL), Durbin said that negotiations to remove or delay implementation of Oberstar’s measure are moving forward.
“Today we have received some indications that the chairman may be willing to compromise,” wrote Durbin. “While no final deal has been reached, we are hopeful that we can agree that Illinois and the other impacted states would not lose any of the funds which have been previously committed and that no permanent changes to highway funding formulas would take effect until next year. That should give all of the parties time to work out a more fair and reasonable solution.”
Quinn had previously written Durbin to express his concern over Oberstar’s proposal. The Governor wrote: “The House proposal would serve to cost jobs in a construction industry that has been particularly hard hit. Further, the provision would reduce highway funding that Illinois has already received and has used to plan much needed infrastructure projects throughout the state. I do not support the House’s language that would change current law and strip Illinois of highway funds.”
Over the last week, a growing number of House members began stating their opposition to the highway formula provision. Several members of the Illinois Congressional Delegation signaled their intention to oppose legislation containing this provision in the House. Additionally, Durbin led an effort of 16 senators to signal their displeasure with the serious implications this proposal would have on their states.
Illinois is already considered a donor state – for every dollar sent to Washington, only ninety-three cents comes back to Illinois; seven cents goes to support transportation projects in other states. According to the Chicago Metropolitan Planning Agency, a “$119 million reduction would significantly undermine our state’s and region’s ability to fund critical transportation infrastructure improvements for the movement of people and goods throughout Illinois and metropolitan Chicago.”
Text of the letter appears below
Dear Governor Quinn:
Thank you for your letter dated May 25, 2010. I agree with you that many provisions included in The American Jobs and Closing Tax Loopholes Act (H.R. 4213) are essential to the continued economic recovery of our state, especially the extensions of unemployment benefits, help for needy families and the Medicaid enhanced match.
But like you, I am also troubled that the unrelated transportation provisions which have been added to the bill are devastating to Illinois. This provision will cost Illinois $119 million in critical highway funding and thousands construction jobs this fiscal year. I believe this provision should be removed from the bill and am working to that end with colleagues in both the House and the Senate.
As you know, House Transportation Committee Chairman Jim Oberstar has included similar language significantly reducing Illinois’ share of highway funds in other legislation as well. Chairman Oberstar attached these provisions to two pieces of must-pass legislation to keep the Federal Aviation Administration operating. These two bills were approved by House of Representatives, but we were successful in our efforts to remove this language from both of the FAA-related bills when they came to the Senate. Despite these two rebukes, Mr. Oberstar seems intent on pursuing a change in the highway funding formulas.
Under Mr. Oberstar’s proposal, Illinois and twelve other states would lose more than $515 million dollars in highway funding they have already received, and as stated above, Illinois would stand to lose $119 million.
Earlier this month, I led a letter signed by 16 senators asking Chairman Oberstar to reconsider his efforts and instead sit down with the affected states to work out a more equitable solution. Today we have received some indications that the chairman may be willing to compromise. While no final deal has been reached, we are hopeful that we can agree that Illinois and the other impacted states would not lose any of the funds which have been previously committed and that no permanent changes to highway funding formulas would take effect until next year. That should give all of the parties time to work out a more fair and reasonable solution.
I am hopeful this efforts and past efforts will succeed in protecting Illinois’ hard earned federal transportation dollars, preserve hundreds of construction related jobs and allow us to continue work on critical infrastructure projects in our state.
Thank you again for you interest and leadership on this important issue. I look forward to continue working with you and your Secretary of Transportation, Gary Hannig, as we move forward.
Sincerely,
U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL)
Durbin Tells Governor: Fight to Retain $119 Million in Transportation Funding for Illinois Continues
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] – With $119 million in federal highway funding for Illinois in jeopardy, Assistant Senate Majority Leader Dick Durbin (D-IL) today said he continues to push to curtail efforts by the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee to change federal highway funding formulas – a proposal that would be harmful to Illinois highway projects. Durbin said he is pushing for a compromise that would allow Illinois and other impacted states to keep all previously committed highway funds and would ensure that no permanent changes to highway funding formulas would take effect until next year.Twice this year, Durbin has led an effort in the Senate to reject attempts to change federal highway funding formulas in unrelated legislation. The effect of this change would cause 13 states and the District of Columbia to lose more than $515 million in total highway formula funding. Last week, Chairman Jim Oberstar (D-MN) tried for a third time to attach this provision to another unrelated bill – this time a bill designed to extend unemployment benefits and provide middle class tax relief.
In a letter to Illinois Governor Pat Quinn (D-IL), Durbin said that negotiations to remove or delay implementation of Oberstar’s measure are moving forward.
“Today we have received some indications that the chairman may be willing to compromise,” wrote Durbin. “While no final deal has been reached, we are hopeful that we can agree that Illinois and the other impacted states would not lose any of the funds which have been previously committed and that no permanent changes to highway funding formulas would take effect until next year. That should give all of the parties time to work out a more fair and reasonable solution.”
Quinn had previously written Durbin to express his concern over Oberstar’s proposal. The Governor wrote: “The House proposal would serve to cost jobs in a construction industry that has been particularly hard hit. Further, the provision would reduce highway funding that Illinois has already received and has used to plan much needed infrastructure projects throughout the state. I do not support the House’s language that would change current law and strip Illinois of highway funds.”
Over the last week, a growing number of House members began stating their opposition to the highway formula provision. Several members of the Illinois Congressional Delegation signaled their intention to oppose legislation containing this provision in the House. Additionally, Durbin led an effort of 16 senators to signal their displeasure with the serious implications this proposal would have on their states.
Illinois is already considered a donor state – for every dollar sent to Washington, only ninety-three cents comes back to Illinois; seven cents goes to support transportation projects in other states. According to the Chicago Metropolitan Planning Agency, a “$119 million reduction would significantly undermine our state’s and region’s ability to fund critical transportation infrastructure improvements for the movement of people and goods throughout Illinois and metropolitan Chicago.”
Text of the letter appears below
Dear Governor Quinn:
Thank you for your letter dated May 25, 2010. I agree with you that many provisions included in The American Jobs and Closing Tax Loopholes Act (H.R. 4213) are essential to the continued economic recovery of our state, especially the extensions of unemployment benefits, help for needy families and the Medicaid enhanced match.
But like you, I am also troubled that the unrelated transportation provisions which have been added to the bill are devastating to Illinois. This provision will cost Illinois $119 million in critical highway funding and thousands construction jobs this fiscal year. I believe this provision should be removed from the bill and am working to that end with colleagues in both the House and the Senate.
As you know, House Transportation Committee Chairman Jim Oberstar has included similar language significantly reducing Illinois’ share of highway funds in other legislation as well. Chairman Oberstar attached these provisions to two pieces of must-pass legislation to keep the Federal Aviation Administration operating. These two bills were approved by House of Representatives, but we were successful in our efforts to remove this language from both of the FAA-related bills when they came to the Senate. Despite these two rebukes, Mr. Oberstar seems intent on pursuing a change in the highway funding formulas.
Under Mr. Oberstar’s proposal, Illinois and twelve other states would lose more than $515 million dollars in highway funding they have already received, and as stated above, Illinois would stand to lose $119 million.
Earlier this month, I led a letter signed by 16 senators asking Chairman Oberstar to reconsider his efforts and instead sit down with the affected states to work out a more equitable solution. Today we have received some indications that the chairman may be willing to compromise. While no final deal has been reached, we are hopeful that we can agree that Illinois and the other impacted states would not lose any of the funds which have been previously committed and that no permanent changes to highway funding formulas would take effect until next year. That should give all of the parties time to work out a more fair and reasonable solution.
I am hopeful this efforts and past efforts will succeed in protecting Illinois’ hard earned federal transportation dollars, preserve hundreds of construction related jobs and allow us to continue work on critical infrastructure projects in our state.
Thank you again for you interest and leadership on this important issue. I look forward to continue working with you and your Secretary of Transportation, Gary Hannig, as we move forward.
Sincerely,
U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL)