THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA

HOUSE RESOLUTION

INTRODUCED BY ROAE, SIPTROTH, VULAKOVICH, BROOKS, HENNESSEY, METZGAR, PYLE, ROCK AND TALLMAN, SEPTEMBER 20, 2010

REFERRED TO COMMITTEE ON TRANSPORTATION, SEPTEMBER 20, 2010  

A RESOLUTION

Urging the Congress of the United States to adopt as part of the

Federal transportation reauthorization bill a provision

requiring 60% approval by a state legislature prior to

flexing of Federal highway and bridge funds to transit

agencies.

WHEREAS, On February 28, 2005, the Governor of the

Commonwealth of Pennsylvania shifted, or flexed, approximately

$68 million in Federal funds earmarked for highway and bridge

repairs to the Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation

Authority and the Port Authority of Allegheny County; and

WHEREAS, On February 28, 2005, the Governor of the

Commonwealth of Pennsylvania directed the Commonwealth's

metropolitan planning organizations to flex an additional $344

million in Federal funds earmarked for highway and bridge

repairs to the Commonwealth's transit agencies; and

WHEREAS, This flexing of funds was made available to this

Commonwealth's transit agencies until November 2006; and

WHEREAS, As a result these flexed Federal funds were not

available for their original intended purposes; and

WHEREAS, The Governor of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania did

not seek authorization or approval of the General Assembly in

flexing these funds; therefore be it

RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the

Commonwealth of Pennsylvania urge Congress to adopt as part of

the Federal transportation reauthorization bill a provision

requiring 60% approval by a state legislature prior to flexing

of Federal highway and bridge funds to transit agencies; and be

it further

RESOLVED, That a copy of this resolution be transmitted to

the presiding officers of each house of Congress and to each

member of the Pennsylvania Congressional Delegation.