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To: COREY Kurt A; HENRY Chris C; REINHARD Dave N <br /> Subject: FW: latest on TEA-21. <br /> Importance: High <br /> All: <br /> Here's and interesting update on TEA-21 (safe "t" or whatever). Bottom line seems to be <br /> that the ball is still in play.. the lobby faces difficulties ...and timing could be a big <br /> issue <br /> mike <br /> -----Original Message----- <br /> From: Kirk Bailey [mailto:kirk@sda-inc.com] <br /> Sent: Wednesday, June 11, 2003 5:41 PM <br /> To: HEUSER Jason P; SULLIVAN Mike C <br /> Subject: Re: latest on TEA-21 <br /> Importance: High <br /> No problem, Jason. I'm sorry this comes late in the day, but I hope it's helpful. The <br /> original report below (actually from May 14th) remains largely accurate. There have been <br /> a few wrinkles as indicated in the more recent stories (June 3rd, May 21st) that I've <br /> copied below. The short story is that right now it's about even whether we will see a <br /> TEA-21 reauthorization bill pass this year. Also, if you need additional information you <br /> might try www.tea3.org. Please let me know if you have any questions Kirk <br /> June 3, 2003 <br /> Transportation - Petri Launches 'Road Show' To Support Young TEA-21 Plan In order to boost <br /> public support for House Transportation and Infrastructure Chairman Young's Transportation <br /> Equity Act for the 21st Century reauthorization plan, committee leaders have launched a <br /> transportation "road show" to increase awareness of the issue and combat growing <br /> opposition to the plan from conservatives. <br /> The lawmakers kicked off the effort during last week's congressional recess, taking the <br /> road show to Dallas, San Francisco and Seattle. <br /> At each stop, the group met with reporters and editorial writers, highlighting <br /> regional, as well as national, highway and mass transit funding needs. It included <br /> Highways, Transit and.Pipelines Subcommittee Chairman Thomas Petri, R-Wis., and other <br /> committee leaders including ranking member James Oberstar, D-Minn., as well as panel <br /> members representing the area. <br /> According to a committee aide, Petri tentatively plans to conduct similar events in <br /> Chicago, Cleveland, Pittsburgh and New York over the next several weeks, likely on Mondays <br /> so that lawmakers will not miss any votes. <br /> The road show, which was first used by Oberstar and former Transportation and <br /> Infrastructure Chairman Shuster during the 1996 transportation spending battle, is aimed <br /> at undercutting critics of Young's $375 .billion .reauthorization plan. Conservatives have <br /> focused their critiques on Young's proposal to index the federal gas tax to inflation, <br /> arguing it runs counter to the president's commitment to cut taxes and would. hurt lower <br /> income families the most. <br /> Thus far, Young and his critics including House Majority Leader Delay have <br /> remained at a standoff, leaving the immediate future of the legislation in doubt. Although <br /> virtually all sources agree Congress will ultimately pass legislation that significantly <br /> expands federal transportation spending, the gas tax fight could result in the issue <br /> <br /> bleeding over into next year <br /> a possibility Young has recently acknowledged. <br /> The committee has resumed work on Young's proposal, sources said. The funding dispute <br /> is unresolved, but aides are working on policy language, including reforms to <br /> environmental review rules, and could be largely finished by the end of the month. <br /> <br /> CongressDailyAM <br /> 2 <br /> <br />