Marchant Scores Victory for Cedar Hill in Final Transportation Bill
July 31, 2005
Washington, DC – On Friday, Congressman Kenny Marchant (TX-24) secured $2.8 million in federal funds for Cedar Hill transportation projects upon the House passage of the Conference Report for H.R. 3, the Transportation Equity Act: A Legacy for Users. The measure provides $286.5 billion in funding for federal highway, transit, and road safety programs through the year 2009. The final version of the bill now heads to the White House for President Bush so sign into law.The measure designates $2.8 million for construction of a grade-separated interchange at the intersection of US 67 and Lake Ridge Parkway. The project will be a connector between Lake Ridge Parkway West and the proposed Lake Ridge Parkway East. At this time, there is no direct access from northbound US 67 to Lake Ridge Parkway. Motorists are required to travel approximately one mile to the next intersection to access the highway.”This project will increase access to the area, thereby promoting economic growth,” said Marchant, the only Republican member of the House Transportation Committee from North Texas. “It will benefit Cedar Hill a great deal.”An amendment that was originally introduced by Marchant as a bill was also included in the final transportation conference report. States are given federal money as credit for the funds they contribute to transit projects. Current policy will not credit states if a single dollar of federal funds is used toward a toll project. This provision changes the toll credit calculation to take into account the state level of financial investment in a toll project.The bill is a big step for Texas towards gaining equity under the highway funding formula. Under current law Texas receives .88 for every dollar it sends to Washington in gas taxes. This law bumps it a minimum of .92 for every dollar in gas taxes by the year 2008.”America desperately needed a new agreement on transportation funding, and Congress was able to deliver,” Marchant noted. “States face growing traffic congestion, aging transportation infrastructure, and increased demand upon their limited transportation funding. We must provide the means to build needed infrastructure and keep our country moving.”H.R. 3 seeks to alleviate traffic congestion problems, improve driver safety, and correct inefficient highway projects. It also provides for the creation of millions of new jobs for Americans in the transportation sector.”Finding solutions to transportation problems in the Dallas/Fort worth region has been a priority of mine from day one,” said Marchant. “I am pleased that the Transportation Equity Act included such a large amount of funds for the Metroplex. North Texans should know that this bill help considerably with traffic and highway related concerns in our area.”
Building the City’s Future
July 23, 2005
This week starts one of the most difficult and time-consuming weeks — Budget Week. We have had prior workshops with city staff about some of the main points of the new budget like how much revenue we can expect to have over the next year and how much more it is going to cost us to keep doing the things we are already doing. But this is the first time we have seen the entire document.
On Friday we received the preliminary budget. For those of you who have never seen a city budget (and I assume that is most of you), this thing is big. It is about an inch and a half of small, ledger-style type that only an accountant could love. But it is also one of the most important things we do as a City Council. The budget is the engine behind the vision.
This year’s theme is, “Building the City’s Future.” I think that is appropriate. Besides the growth and obvious construction that is going on, it conveys the idea that good cities don’t just happen by accident. It takes the dedication of good men and women to guide a city as it evolves. Where the city is today is a function of yesterday’s leadership. Where we will be tomorrow is a result of how good of stewards we are today. I look forward to the process.
Welcome!
My name is Wade Emmert and I am a Council Member for the City of Cedar Hill. This web site is a way for me to share with you some of my thoughts about issues important to the City.
It is my sincerest goal to be a good steward of the citizens’ trust. Thank you so much for giving me the opportunity to serve you.
If you have any questions or concerns, please contact me at Wade.Emmert@cedarhilltx.com or (214) 740-3164.