Mica says Transportation Bill a Success
Thursday, June 28, 2012
By: Matthew Peddie

June 28, 2012 | WMFE - Winter Park Republican John Mica, who chairs the House Transportation Committee, says he's happy with the agreement reached earlier this week between Congressional Republicans and Democrats on a federal transportation bill after more than a year and a half of negotiation.

Mica says the bill consolidates and removes a number of highway programs, and streamlines the process of funding state transportation projects,

“We’re taking some duplicative programs and some which can be eliminated and throwing them overboard, in favor of devolving more flexibility and authority to the states which actually are involved in the construction of these projects. The federal government has only provided mandates and red tape.”

Included in the consolidation is a reduction of transportation requirements which directed states to spend part of their highway funds on bike paths and other projects.

Cycling advocacy group America Bikes says it’s a bad bill for biking and walking.

The group says it cuts available biking and walking funds by up to 70% percent.