Senate Resolution 14 - Introduced SENATE RESOLUTION NO. 14 BY CHELGREN A Resolution urging the Congress of the United States 1 to enact legislation allocating transportation 2 infrastructure funds as a block grant for states to 3 spend without being subject to burdensome federal 4 regulations. 5 WHEREAS, the objective of the federal highway 6 program has been to facilitate the construction 7 of a modern freeway system that promotes efficient 8 interstate commerce by connecting all the states; and 9 WHEREAS, that objective has been attained, and the 10 interstate system connecting all the states is near 11 completion; and 12 WHEREAS, each state has the responsibility of 13 providing an efficient transportation network for the 14 residents of that state; and 15 WHEREAS, each state is the most capable of 16 determining the transportation infrastructure needs of 17 that state and acting on those needs; and 18 WHEREAS, the federal role in highway transportation 19 has, over time, usurped the role of the states 20 by taxing motor fuels used in the states and then 21 distributing the proceeds to the states based on the 22 federal government’s perception of what is best for the 23 states; and 24 WHEREAS, the federal distribution, review, and 25 enforcement process wastes billions of dollars on 26 unproductive activities; and 27 WHEREAS, federal mandates that apply uniformly to 28 -1- LSB 2230XS (2) 86 rn/rj 1/ 2
S.R. 14 all 50 states regardless of each state’s particular 1 circumstances cause the states to waste billions 2 of hard-earned tax dollars on projects, programs, 3 and activities that the states would not otherwise 4 undertake; and 5 WHEREAS, the United States Congress has expressed 6 a strong interest in reducing the role of the federal 7 government by allowing each state to manage its own 8 affairs; NOW THEREFORE, 9 BE IT RESOLVED BY THE SENATE, That the Senate urges 10 the United States Congress to return to the individual 11 states maximum discretionary authority and fiscal 12 responsibility for all elements of the national surface 13 transportation systems that are not within the direct 14 purview of the federal government; and 15 BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That the Senate urges the 16 United States Congress to facilitate this return of 17 discretionary authority and fiscal responsibility 18 by enacting legislation allocating transportation 19 infrastructure funds as a block grant for states to 20 spend without being subject to burdensome federal 21 regulations; and 22 BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That copies of this 23 Resolution shall be sent to the President and Secretary 24 of the United States Senate, the Speaker and Clerk of 25 the United States House of Representatives, and to the 26 members of Iowa’s congressional delegation. 27 -2- LSB 2230XS (2) 86 rn/rj 2/ 2