For Immediate Release

NEWS RELEASE

Bush Administration Proposes More than $2 Billion in Highway Funding Cuts

WASHINGTON, DC (February 4, 2008) - Today, the American Highway Users Alliance strongly opposed the Bush Administration's proposed funding cuts to the federal highway program and expressed surprise that the Administration has broken its promise to guarantee funding increases through 2009. The President signed the current highway bill into law in 2005, with funding "guarantees" to support the national highway program through 2009.

President & CEO Greg Cohen stated, "At a time when our nation's road and bridge infrastructure is falling into disrepair, congestion is stifling our economy and quality-of-life, and Americans are concerned about a potential recession, the Administration is going exactly the wrong way by cutting critical highway funding that keeps people and our economy moving.

"The Department of Transportation estimates that $1 billion in highway funding sustains 47,500 jobs, so it is baffling that the Administration would propose funding cuts that will put up to 100,000 American jobs in jeopardy

"Only days after a bipartisan commission issued recommendations showing that long-term solutions exist to get Americans moving again, the Administration poured cold water on drivers' hopes for federal leadership in combating traffic congestion, moving freight, and saving lives on our highways.

"Solutions exist to keep our highway program strong. The Highway Users appreciates the leadership of Senators Max Baucus and Charles Grassley who have developed a bipartisan plan to provide the funding needed to keep highway programs growing for fiscal year 2009."

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The American Highway Users Alliance represents motorists, bus companies, truckers, RV enthusiasts, motorcyclists and a broad cross-section of businesses that depend on safe and efficient highways to transport their families, customers, employees, and products. Highway Users members pay taxes that finance transportation spending programs and advocate public policies that dedicate those taxes to improved highway safety and mobility.