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Matsunaka and Owens Forge Bi-Partisan Transportation Plan Common Sense Plan Addresses Both Education
LOVELAND—Colorado Senate President Stan Matsunaka (D-Loveland) and Governor Bill Owens reached agreement on a bi-partisan transportation plan for Colorado at the close of this year's legislative session. "By working with Governor Owens, we created a common sense bi-partisan plan that gives Colorado's working families the transportation muscle to keep competitive in the global market place without sacrificing critical education needs," stated Senator Matsunaka. "The people of Colorado face significant transportation challenges. The countdown to gridlock in urban areas and the countdown to failure in rural districts impacts the everyday lives of millions of Coloradans." The Matsunaka-Owens Transportation Funding Plan will provide an estimated $15 billion for highways over the next 20 years, dedicates 10% of the growth dividend to transit projects and creates a statewide toll road authority. 33% of the growth dividend will be dedicated to capital construction including higher education projects. Rapid population growth in the 90's outpaced the growth in Colorado's transportation resources. A downturn in the economy and drop in tax revenue dried up sources of transportation funding. Many transportation projects designed to meet Colorado's transportation needs are stalled. At the same time, many other needs, including capital construction for education, are short of funds.
"The Matsunaka-Owens Transportation Funding Plan sets aside adequate funds for highways and transit but leaves significant dollars for critical funding of higher education capital projects," stated Matsunaka. "Colorado's future economic prosperity depends on careful bi-partisan planning and action that provides for both physical transportation infrastructure needs and an educational system for a well trained workforce," said Matsunaka. "On the eastern plains of Colorado, the ' Ports to Plains ' project will connect our farmers and their crops to world markets. We need to make sure our state transportation infrastructure keeps pace with these critical federal projects," stated Matsunaka. "Northern Colorado's Front Range cities are dependent upon the well-designed growth of the I-25 corridor transportation system. The Matsunaka-Owens plan will provide funding to improve the safety of I-25 for Colorado's working families. The safety and mobility of the citizens of Ft. Collins, Loveland, Greeley and Longmont requires timely funding of the improvements to I-25," said Matsunaka. More about Senator Matsunaka's legislative accomplishments and plans can be found at his campaign website: www.stan2002.com. A press kit for reporters is available at http://www.stan2002.com/press.html.
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Contributions to Matsunaka for Congress Committee are not tax deductible. Paid for by Matsunaka for Congress Committee, David Rustici, Treasurer. 211 Jefferson Street, Ft. Collins, Colorado 80524. Copyright © 2002, Matsunaka for Congress Committee. All rights reserved. |
