ASSEMBLY RESOLUTION No. 119

 

STATE OF NEW JERSEY

 

INTRODUCED SEPTEMBER 19, 1996

 

 

By Assemblywoman HECK and Assemblyman DeCROCE

 

 

An Assembly Resolution urging the President and the Congress of the United States to ensure the timely reauthorization of the federal Intermodal Surface Transportation Efficiency Act of 1991, and a continuation of federal, financial assistance to AMTRAK.

 

Whereas, The Intermodal Surface Transportation Efficiency Act of 1991 (ISTEA), signed into law by the President in December 1991, is a six year program authorized to provide a total of $155 billion for highway and mass transportation purposes; and

Whereas, ISTEA has provided significant, annual federal funds to New Jersey and all other states to help develop a strong, globally-competitive economy and to improve the mobility, safety and well-being of our nation's residents; and

Whereas, Our state, regional and national transportation systems still face growing travel demand, inadequate capacity, "bottlenecks," and awkward connections between different forms of transportation; and

Whereas, The need to continue and accelerate improvements to our transportation systems is absolutely vital for economic growth, to address safety and environmental concerns, and to reduce the costs and disruptions that an inefficient transportation system imposes on our residents; and

Whereas, A federal role of providing leadership and long-term funding remains essential if a smooth, seamless highway and mass transportation system is to be achieved and then maintained; and

Whereas, A direct federal role is also especially important to the viability of AMTRAK, and an annual, financial commitment acknowledging such federal role must be reemphasized by the President and Congress if our national railroad is to reach the status, importance, and efficiency of national railroads in other competitive, economically developed countries; now, therefore,

 

    Be It Resolved by the General Assembly of the State of New Jersey:

 

    1. The President and the Congress of the United States are urged to reauthorize ISTEA, prior to its expiration in October 1997, for a period of time and a level of funding that are no less than current ISTEA authorization levels. Timely reauthorization of ISTEA is paramount if states are to continue, without interruption, their efforts to improve and enhance the effectiveness of our nation's state, regional, and national transportation systems. Additionally, the federal government must continue to acknowledge its role relative to AMTRAK and provide the financial assistance needed by AMTRAK to ensure the long-term viability of our national railroad passenger corporation.

 

    2. Duly authenticated copies of this resolution, signed by the Speaker of the General Assembly and attested to by the Clerk thereof, shall be transmitted to the President and the Vice President of the United States, members of Congress, and the President of AMTRAK.

 

 

STATEMENT

 

    This resolution urges the President and the Congress of the United States to reauthorize the federal Intermodal Surface Transportation Efficiency Act of 1991, prior to its expiration in October 1997, for a period of time and a level of funding that are no less than current ISTEA authorization levels. In addition, the resolution urges that the federal government continue to provide financial assistance to AMTRAK.

 

 

                             

 

Urges President and Congress to reauthorize ISTEA and to continue financial assistance to AMTRAK.