*	Current legislation, SAFETEA-LU, expires September 30, 2009.

*	Most funding in this legislation goes to "core" highway programs-highway construction, 
maintenance, bridges and bridge maintenance, congestion and air quality mitigation, safety 
improvement.

*	The primary source of funds for these programs is from per gallon gas and diesel taxes.

*	State and local governments, transit authorities in particular, have a lot at stake in this 
legislation.

*	Passage of the last reauthorization, in 2005, was nearly two years overdue.

*	There were more than 5,000 earmarks in the 2005 bill, totaling an estimated $14.8 billion.

*	The 1998 legislation, TEA-21, has an estimated 1,850 earmarks totaling an estimated $9.4 
billion.


New York State Members of the House Transportation Committee:

(D):  Jerrold Nadler; Timothy H. Bishop; Brian Higgins; John J. Hall; Michael A. Arcuri
(R):  John R. "Randy" Kuhl Jr. 


Sample Eamarks from SAFETEA-LU:

Los Angeles Community College (CA)
$1,254,000~Design and build improved transit and pedestrian linkages to rail and bus lines

Pierce College (CA)
$836,000~Pierce College Bus Rapid Transit Station Extension

University of Vermont
$1,000,000~Research into hydrogen fuel-cell and biofuel-transportation technology


Resources:

CRS Report for Congress
Safe, Accountable, Flexible, Efficient Transportation Equity Act - A Legacy for Users (SAFETEA-
LU or SAFETEA):  Selected Major Provisions
http://assets.opencrs.com/rpts/RL33119_20051018.pdf

Chronicle of Higher Education
Congressional Earmarks for Higher Education in the 2005 Transportation Bill
http://chronicle.com/free/2005/08/20050815pork.htm
Reauthorization of Federal Surface Transportation Programs