Rep. Donigan offered the following resolution:

            House Resolution No. 340.

            A resolution to memorialize Congress to increase the funding emphasis on bus-oriented transit in the 2009 reauthorization of the Safe, Accountable, Flexible, Efficient, Transportation Equity Act: A Legacy for Users (SAFETEA-LU).

            Whereas, Federal support for bus transit programs, including bus rapid transit, is important as a means to wean ourselves from dependence on foreign oil, reduce congestion, and improve mobility of the elderly and disabled. A recent federal study concluded that $20.6 billion per year is needed for real improvements to the transit system in the United States; and

            Whereas, The current 2005 SAFETEA-LU authorization guarantees $234 billion over 6 years (Fiscal Years 04-09) for highway and safety projects and $52.6 billion for transit projects. Only 20% of SAFETEA-LU funding, less than $10 billion per year, goes to transit projects; and

Whereas, Bus transit has been severely neglected and under funded. The emphasis in the SAFETEA-LU transit funding has been on rail transportation projects. 40% of the transit formula funding has been for rail modernization, 40% for the New Starts program, and only 20% for buses and bus facilities. The New Starts program has funded mostly fixed guideway light rail and high-speed rail projects. The funding formula should be changed so bus transit programs and projects are not disadvantaged; and

            Whereas, Michigan is known as a donor state for federal transportation dollars since a greater share of our taxes go to Washington than are returned in transportation funding. Michigan's tax rate of return averages about 92%. Michigan's rate of return on tax dollars is only between about 50 and 60% for federal transit dollars. Michigan bus transit programs have been shortchanged in comparison to other states; now, therefore, be it

            Resolved by the House of Representatives, That we memorialize Congress to increase the funding emphasis on bus-oriented transit in the 2009 reauthorization of SAFETEA-LU; and be it further

            Resolved, That copies of this resolution be transmitted to the President of the United States Senate, the Speaker of the United States House of Representatives, and the members of the Michigan congressional delegation.