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Measures Taken to Ensure Funding for Transportation Infrastructure
February 6, 2009
This morning, Governor Felix P. Camacho, along with Governor Benigno R. Fitial of the Commonwealth of the Northern Marianas Islands and Governor John P. de Jongh, Jr. of the U.S. Virgin Islands, submitted a letter to the United States Senate. The letter was addressed to Jeff Bingaman, Chairman of the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources, Majority Leader Harry Reid, and Daniel K. Inouye, Chairman of the Committee on Appropriations. The joint letter addressed the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009, which inadvertently excludes the participation of the small Territories of the United States from receiving highway funds.
"It is important that the drafting oversight be corrected," said Governor Camacho. "We must urgently insist that fair and equal treatment is provided to all U.S. Territories."
The bill provides funding for highway projects of the 50 States, the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico, but not the small Territories which include Guam, U.S. Virgin Islands and the CNMI.
The proposed language to be included in the House bill states that highway funds shall be distributed among the United States, Puerto Rico, American Samoa, Guam, the Virgin Islands, and the Commonwealth of the Northern Marianas Islands in generally the same amount as what was obligated for fiscal year 2008.
"We are uniting to ensure the equitable allocation of highway funds under this bill," said Governor Camacho. "Not only will this program improve Guam's infrastructure, it will influence and stimulate our respective economies."
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