REQUESTING THE PRESIDENT AND CONGRESS TO REINSTATE FULL FUNDING FOR STATE HIGHWAY CONSTRUCTION.

WHEREAS, New Mexico could lose sixty-nine million dollars ($69,000,000) in federal highway funding under President Bush's twenty-nine percent budget cut in federal aid to states under the federal department of transportation's proposed budget; and

WHEREAS, the cuts are attributed to a decline in federal tax revenues resulting from lower sales of gasoline and big trucks; and

WHEREAS, a loss of sixty-nine million dollars ($69,000,000) from the state's highway budget would be more than a ten percent decline; and

WHEREAS, the state highway and transportation department will have to postpone some major highway construction projects, including the improvements to United States highway 84-285 from Santa Fe to Pojoaque; and

WHEREAS, a loss of federal money could make it difficult for the state highway and transportation department to repay bonds and might have long-lasting consequences for the state's economy; and

WHEREAS, the construction industry projects a loss of ninety thousand jobs nationally;

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE STATE OF NEW MEXICO that the president and congress be requested to reinstate full funding for assistance to state highway construction programs, including New Mexico's share of sixty-nine million dollars ($69,000,000); and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that copies of this memorial be transmitted to the president and the New Mexico congressional delegation.