Federal Transportation Policy

Federal Transportation Policy

Introduction

Federal Transportation's reauthorizations are the series of macropolitical and subgovernment struggles. It has been researched that, mostly rural population and, less populated areas do funding for the construction of highways than urban areas and, they are more consistent to see addition of roads. Federal government is likely to increase the amount of money to fund these constructions. If we consider the case of the highway maintenance financing, then we find that, it is the biggest category of the infrastructure investments and, there are also opportunities for desirable expansions (Wildasin, 2004). If all the projects are suited for the federal grants, it is found that federal government collects a gas tax, and it was noticed that, if federal government abolished the revenues then, states may finance their own maintenance expenditures. The political debate about the addition of taxation may be moderated. Over many years, Federal government has developed interest in transportation and, in order to get new opportunities, and economic growth. Article 1 of the United States; allow implementing such strategies of transportations. Congress has placed public transportation under the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) (Wildasin, 2004).

Thesis Statement

Federal Transportation policy is not much supportive by Federal Government and, federalism issues are prevalent in this policy.

Discussion

Historically, transportation policy has been viewed as a "nonpartisan" issue on Capitol Hill, enjoying strong support and participation in the process from both Republicans and Democrats. However, the current political climate in Washington has turned the debate over federal policy on everything from bridges to bike paths into, like many other debates in this charged election year, a highly politicized issue. If nothing else, recent action provides some clarity to the major differences of opinion between the House and Senate on the future role of the federal government in transportation spending and priorities (Basedow, 1983).

However, to have any legislation (including surface transportation reauthorization) signed into law, both chambers of Congress must act (Basedow, 1983). The House has tried several times to bring up its five-year transportation bill (HR 7), and each time has been unable to muster enough votes to pass it. The House bill would eliminate Safe Routes to School and remove annual guaranteed funding for TE, thus forcing these active transportation options to compete with other programs for limited money.

House leadership resisted but, faced with federal transportation funding stopping on April 1along with existing infrastructure projects, and the hundreds ...