Highway funding update

Highway funding is looking better, all of a sudden. According to NSSGA, The House Committee on Appropriations HAS approved A FY '08 appropriations bill for transportation, housing and urban development and related agencies. The committee approved the mark by voice vote after little debate. The bill fully funds the highway and transit guarantees contained in the current transportation authorization bill. The mark contains $40.2 billion for highways, which is $600 million above the president's request and $1.25 billion above FY '07 levels. The bill does not include an administration proposal to eliminate $631 million in revenue aligned budget authority (RABA). The bill also contains $3.6 billion for the Airport Improvement Program to continue infrastructure improvements, for an increase of $850 million above the president's request and $85.5 million above FY '07. In the Senate, the Subcommittee on Transportation and Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Appropriations approved $40.2 billion for highways in FY '08 as well, largely mirroring the House bill. The full committee approved the bill. Your comment?