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FRIDAY, MAY 16, 2003

Alaska Congressman Don Young (R-Alaska), chairman of the House Transportation Committee, wants to spend $375 billion on highway construction and transportation.

The Bush administration is backing $247 billion in the new federal highway bill. Young is writing his own version and he says it will include a hike in gasoline taxes and "user fees."

Indian Country roads receive a small percentage of the federal highway budget. Of the 55,000 miles of highways that run through tribal lands, more than half are unpaved, according to federal statistics, and of the nearly 750 bridges, about a quarter are deficient.

Get the Story:
Biggest isn't big enough for Young (The Anchorage Daily News 5/16)
Young, Bush at odds over transportation plan (The Fairbanks Daily News-Miner 5/16)

Relevant Links:
TEA-21 Reauthorization - http://www.fhwa.dot.gov/reauthorization
Tribal Transportation, DOT - http://www.fhwa.dot.gov/environment/natvamrc/index.htm

Related Stories:
New federal highway funds bill introduced (5/15)
Advocates seek boost for Indian Country roads (03/28)
Rahall: The Indian agenda in the 108th Congress (01/08)
State disputes 'illegal jurisdiction' of tribe (10/10)
Bill to double reservation road funds (09/24)
Federal appeals court affirms tribal authority (8/15)
McCaleb tussles with tribal leaders over roads (11/8)