The Legislation of Balance

Abstract

This paper explores various avenues of legislation that can be effective in rebalancing the nation's transportation modes, especially between mass transit and highway construction. The federal government is in a position to rebalance these modes by agreeing to pay the same 90% of mass transit projects as is paid for interstate highway construction, by exempting mass transit projects from elaborate comprehensive planning requirements, particularly with regard to the replacement of capital equipment, when such extensive processes are not required for highway construction and to release mass transit funds which the Congress has appropriated but which are now held by executive impoundment. Local governing bodies should be given the right to decide which local transportation projects should be given priority with regard to allocation of the Highway Trust Fund. Historical background information and current transportation policy information are included.