By Phil Hare
Securing federal transportation dollars for projects that create jobs in this area will be a main focus of mine in Congress. Transportation funding also helps our local economy and benefits commuters. I want to focus my work here and in Congress on addressing the sizeable and diverse transportation needs of this district.
We need to make it easier for people to get to work, school, visit with family and friends and do business. Congressman Lane Evans always recognized the importance of transportation and, during the more than 23 years I worked with him, we successfully partnered with the community, organized labor, local officials and businesses to secure millions of federal dollars for key transportation projects in this area. Those dollars translate into good, secure, local jobs and we need more of them. I have a proven track record of helping to deliver federal resources and I want to build on that record as the representative for the 17th District in Congress.
I support the Transportation Equity Act, which was co-sponsored by Congressman Evans. Like Congressman Evans, I know that it provides billions of dollars to improve and build new highways, bridges, and transit systems in our area. I'll work to be sure future transportation bills passed by Congress contain dollars for our area.
I'll work to correct the shortfall between what Illinois now receives in return for what we send to Washington. Every penny and dollar counts. Every $1 billion in transportation funding creates and sustains 47,500 related jobs. Every dollar of investment in transportation funding generates an additional $2 in related economic activity. We need those dollars to add and keep jobs here in our community.
In Congress I'll work with the Transportation and Appropriations committees, where funding decisions are made, to bring home our share of funding for this district I will work with Illinois transportation officials to accomplish our goals. I've been working with Congressman Evans to help fund key transportation projects for years. I know the needs of our communities because I have worked for them for years. I know the process, I know the decisionmakers, and I know how to get things done.
I have already secured commitments from national leaders like Democratic Whip Steny Hoyer, Sen. Dick Durbin and Congressman Jerry Costello (who is a senior member of the Transportation Committee) that they will work to help secure funding for our top mass transit projects, like the Quad-Cities facility.
On the national level, I want increased mass transit spending. I want to build on the progress we've made to secure more for our top priorities.
I'll focus on improving conditions and commutes on our roads. I'll expand on the work we've done to support the I-74 bridge project. It's a major effort, and it will mean good local jobs and a boost to our economy along the way, as well as improved, safer commutes.
I support Western Illinois University's expansion plans. That project will create jobs too, and the funds will enable riverfront, road and street projects planned for that area.
I'll work to establish a connection between the Quad-Cities and Amtrak so that we are provided a reliable, convenient service between our area and Chicago and other hubs.
In Congress, I will engage, labor, farmers, industry and other leaders to bring more investment for regional products like ethanol and other biofuels. I believe we should invest more in the Midwest and the fuels and technologies we produce, rather than the Middle East and foreign oil. Increased use and production of ethanol means greater transportation needs to move our products. I'll bring new resources to help with freight rail and will support improvements on the Mississippi and Illinois Rivers to boost the flow of commerce and help farmers transport commodities to consumers.
With high gas prices, a rail alternative for commuters in our area would be a welcome option. For years I've heard from residents about the need for such a project. I worked with Congressman Evans to secure over $1 million in engineering funds to start the project, and I'll continue that work if I am elected to Congress to make it a reality.
I'm excited about the proposed Quad-Cities rail redevelopment projects, converting old, unused rail yards to create jobs and opportunities on otherwise dormant properties. I'll work to keep those efforts going.
Members of Congress have to make decisions about how to spend our resources. I will always work and vote to create investments that help this community's interests and instead of special interests. Securing federal funding for important local transportation projects takes know-how, focus and hard work. I will always go the extra mile to bring home the dollars we need to keep this Congressional District moving on the right track and in the right direction.
