May 11, 2004
May 10, 2004
LANSING – Governor Jennifer M. Granholm joined seven other border-state governors last week in asking Congress to preserve funding that will allow border states to improve the safety and efficiency of border crossings as the bill moves through the federal transportation program funding process.
The governors, who include Frank H. Murkowski (R-AK), Gary Locke (D-WA), Rick Perry (R-TX), Janet Napolitano (D-AZ), George E. Pataki (R-NY), Bill Richardson (D-NM), and Judy Martz (R-MT), urged Congress to consider the special situation facing border states during its deliberations on the reauthorization of the Transportation Equity Act for the 21st century (TEA 21).
The governors’ letter stated that “our economic growth is threatened because our border crossings do not have the capacity to meet increased commercial traffic and the need for increased security at our borders. The resulting gridlock at our borders, if not addressed in the near future, will significantly increase costs to manufacturers and shippers making border states less competitive in the global market place.”
The Senate-passed bill contains border provisions favorable to Michigan, and it has funding levels for our borders at approximately $200 million more than under current law.
The letter to Congress is attached.
