H.J.R. 8

1

JOINT RESOLUTION URGING CONGRESS TO ELIMINATE
2 TRANSPORTATION EARMARKING THAT OVERRIDES
3 STATE TRANSPORTATION PRIORITIES
4 2008 GENERAL SESSION
5 STATE OF UTAH
6 Chief Sponsor: Julie Fisher
7 Senate Sponsor: Scott K. Jenkins
8
9 LONG TITLE
10 General Description:
11 This joint resolution of the Legislature urges the United States Congress to eliminate
12 the practice of earmarking transportation funds, which restricts the ability of states to
13 address their transportation priorities.
14 Highlighted Provisions:
15 This resolution:
16 . urges Congress to end the practice of earmarking transportation funds granted to
17 states for transportation needs because it significantly restricts a state's ability to
18 fund its own transportation priorities.
19 Special Clauses:
20 None
21
22 Be it resolved by the Legislature of the state of Utah:
23 WHEREAS, the United States Congress, through the federal budget process, can
24 specify how states spend the highway funds they receive through federal appropriations;
25 WHEREAS, earmarking funds requires states to fund the programs, projects, and
26 initiatives that Congress considers priorities;
27 WHEREAS, the transportation projects that Congress chooses to earmark for a state

28 often do not reflect the priorities of the state's elected officials;
29 WHEREAS, earmarking federal funds frequently hampers the ability of a state to
30 complete transportation projects that it considers most vital because limited funding is diverted
31 by earmarking to less critical projects;
32 WHEREAS, Congress should provide states more control in determining how federal
33 taxes, paid by its citizens, are used when those funds return to the state in the form of
34 transportation funding; and
35 WHEREAS, eliminating earmarking of transportation funds would enable a state to
36 make its transportation priorities a reality:
37 NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Legislature of the state of Utah
38 urges the United States Congress to eliminate the practice of earmarking transportation funds
39 that it grants to states.
40 BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a copy of this resolution be sent to the Majority
41 Leader of the United States Senate, the Speaker of the United States House of Representatives,
42 the President of the United States, the United States Department of Transportation, the Utah
43 Department of Transportation, and to the members of Utah's congressional delegation.




Legislative Review Note
as of 1-21-08 10:50 AM

Office of Legislative Research and General Counsel