HomeMy Public PortalAboutResolution No. 090-98 03-09-1998 RESOLUTION NO. 9U-98
• A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY
OF RICHLAND HILLS, TEXAS, SUPPORTING THE BYRD-
GRAMM AMENDMENT NO. 1397 TO S. 1173, THE
INTERMODAL SURFACE TRANSPORTATION EFFI-
CIENCY ACT OF 1997, TO PROVIDE NEEDED INCREASES
IN FEDERAL FUNDING FOR SURFACE TRANS-
PORTATION.
WHEREAS, the nation's transportation infrastructure plays an integral part in the nation's
economy, and the Texas transportation system is a key component of the national network; and,
WHEREAS, the U.S. Department of Transportation has reported that the nation's
transportation network is in dire need of a substantial increase in the level of financial investment
to bring the system up to standards for safe and efficient operation and to meet expanding
transportation demands; and,
. WHEREAS, providing all states, and the nation as a whole, with the benefits of mobility
and economic prosperity and ensuring an effective connection between the vital Texas
transportation system and that of the rest of the nation requires steadfast support for the nation's
transportation network as we enter the 21st Century; and,
WHEREAS, the upcoming reauthorization of federal surface transportation programs
represents a critical opportunity to ensure that federal transportation funds provided to support
the nation's transportation network are sufficient to support an effective response to the true needs
of a modern transportation system; and,
WHEREAS, historically, Texas has been a donor state, receiving a return of 77 cents on
the dollar for transportation funding; and,
WHEREAS, the U.S. Senate's reauthorization of the Intermodal Surface Transportation
• Efficiency Act, will guarantee a return of 83 cents on the dollar for transportation and
infrastructure; and,
RESOLUTION NO. 90-98 PAGE 2
•
WHEREAS, Amendment No. 1397, known as the Byrd-Gramm Amendment to S. 1173,
the Intermodal Surface Transportation Efficiency Act of 1997, was introduced in the Senate on
October 22, 1997 by Senator Robert Byrd of West Virginia and Senator Phil Gramm of Texas;
and,
WHEREAS, the enactment of S. 1173, as amended by the Byrd-Gramm Amendment,
would authorize the use of an additional $6.1 billion per year from the Highway Account of the
Federal Highway Trust Fund for highway infrastructure, making an additional $30.9 billion in
contract authority available for highways during afive-year period; and,
• WHEREAS, the increases in federal funding support for surface transportation provided
by the Byrd-Gramm Amendment are fully funded through federal motor fuel tax revenues
recently redirected to the Highway Trust Fund by the Taxpayer Relief Act of 1997; and,
WHEREAS, the Byrd-Gramm Amendment, by way of revenue from the 4.3 cents per
gallon motor fuel tax, will provide an additional $1.9 billion in added highway and infrastructure
funding for Texas.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE
CITY OF RICHLAND HILLS, TEXAS, THAT:
Section 1. The City of Richland Hills supports the efforts represented by the Byrd-
Gramm Amendment to provide needed increases in federal funding for surface transportation.
Section 2. The City of Richland Hills encourages the Texas Congressional Delegation
and members of the Texas transportation community to support and work toward the successful
adoption of the principles included in that Amendment.
•
RESOLUTION NO. 90-98 PAGE 3
PASSED AND APPROVED by the City Council of the City of Richland Hills, Texas,
by a vote of 5 ayes, 0 nays, and 0 abstentions, on this the 9th day of March, 1998.
APPROVED:
C. F. KELLEY, MAYOR
ATTEST:
TE IL S, CITY SECR ARY
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