Texas Transit Association

This week’s update on Congressional initiatives: Appropriations and Reauthorization.

Appropriations: On October 23, the U.S. Senate approved by a 91-3 vote, its Fiscal Year 2004 appropriations bill that funds the federal transit program at $7.305 billion, an increase of $74 million over the House version and an increase of $126 million on actual FY03 transit funding. Floor action on a conference bill is expected by mid-November.

Reauthorization: On October 28, the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee released draft legislation to reauthorize the highway portion of TEA 21 with a mark up is scheduled for November 12. The transit portion, under jurisdiction of the Senate Banking Committee, is not expected to act until after the first of the year. Those monitoring reauthorization anticipate that the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee will have a $375 billion highway and transit bill introduced in the near future.

Thanks to the American Public Transportation Association for this report. Visit APTA at www.apta.com.