14-C Hwy Funding Equity ActDRAFT
F:~Attorney~ALICE~RESWORK\CURRENT\Texas Good Roads - Fair Share for Fed Hwys 2004 Res.wpd
January 28, 2004
RESOLUTION NO.
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PARIS,
PARIS, TEXAS, EXPRESSING SUPPORT FOR H.R. 2208, THE HIGHWAY
FUNDING EQUITY ACT OF 2003, PENDING BEFORE THE UNITED
STATES CONGRESS, TO PROVIDE A MORE EQUITABLE 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 of 2003, 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.
ATTEST:
Curtis Fendley, Mayor
Mattie Cunningham, City Clerk
APPROVED AS TO FORM:
Larry W. Schenk, City Attorney