2004-023-RES EXPRESSING SUPPORT FOR HR 2208 THE HIGHWAY FUNDING EQUITY ACT OF 2003, PENDING BEFORE UNITED STATES CONGRESS
RESOLUTION NO. 2004-023
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PARIS,
PARIS, TEXAS, EXPRESSING SUPPORT FORH.R. 2208, THE HIGHWAY
FUNDING EQillTY ACT OF 2003, PENDING BEFORE THE UNITED
STATES CONGRESS, TO PROVIDE A MORE EQillT ABLE SHARE OF
FEDERAL HIGHWAY FUNDS TO THE STATE OF TEXAS; MAKING
OTHER FINDINGS AND PROVISIONS RELATED TO THE SUBJECT;
AND DECLARING AN EFFECTIVE DATE.
WHEREAS, federal legislation authorizing the highway program expires February 29,
2004; and,
WHEREAS, since the inception of the federal highway program in 1956, Texas has given
more than $5 billion to other states in the program, as one of the "donor" states which sends in
more revenue than it receives in return from the Federal Highway Administration; and,
WHEREAS, despite strong past efforts by former Senators Bentsen and Gramm to rectify
this inequity, Texas most recently has received about 88 cents on the dollar in rate of return
numbers; and,
WHEREAS, the effort to upgrade Texas's return this year is led by Majority Leader Tom
DeLay who has filed H.R. 2208, the Highway Funding Equity Act of2003, ensuring a 95% return
on trust fund contributions; and,
WHEREAS, if Texas would have enjoyed this 95 % return since the enactment of this last
highway bill (1998), our state would have received nearly $1.2 billion more to invest in our
highway program; and,
WHEREAS, our dependence on the federal-aid portion of our program has grown
significantly, especially in light of the fact 2003 is the first year since 1991 that the state
legislature has provided a meaningful increase in state highway funds; and,
WHEREAS, we are grateful to the members of the Texas delegation who have supported
H.R. 2208 and are hopeful that 100 percent of the delegation will be co-sponsors; NOW,
THEREFORE,
BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PARIS, PARIS,
TEXAS:
Section 1. That the findings set out in the preamble to this resolution are hereby in all
things approved.
Section 2. That the City Council of the City of Paris expresses its support for H.R. 2208,
the Highway Funding Equity Act of 2003, currently pending before the United States Congress,
to provide a more equitable share of federal highway funds to the State of Texas, and encourages
all members of the Texas Congressional delegation to aggressively pursue its passage.
Section 3. That this resolution shall be effective from and after its date of passage.
PASSED AND APPROVED this 9th day of February, 2004.
CL
ATTEST:
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Sheri an Dixon, TemporvryActing City Clerk