Wednesday, September 30, 2009

Elkhart, Indiana Truth: County highway chief to testify before legislative panel -- Taylor to speak on fighting bureaucracy for funding.

The Truth - Local News
Published: Tuesday, September 29, 2009 -- The Truth, A
Last updated: 9/28/2009 11:33:04 PM
Truth Staff
GOSHEN -- A federal committee that's been following disbursal of federal stimulus money is seeking input from an Elkhart County official.

Transportation Manager Jeff Taylor, who heads the Elkhart County Highway Department, is to testify Thursday in Washington D.C. during a hearing of the U.S. House of Representatives' Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, he said. The body, which held similar hearings in April, June and July, has been following implementation of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, or ARRA, the federal $787 billion program that aims to create jobs and jumpstart the down economy via spending and investment at the local level.

More specifically, Thursday's hearing aims to gather input on implementation of transportation projects funded via stimulus money, Taylor said. He's still preparing his remarks, but in the past has lamented the bureaucracy and forms required to tap into ARRA funding for roads projects.

"You can't call it a quick jobs ... bill when it takes you six months to fill out paperwork," he said.

He said Rep. John Mica of Florida, the ranking Republican on the committee, invited him to testify after reading about his views about the overwrought process in an msnbc.com story. Also set to testify, according to Taylor, is U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood.
Taylor already will be in nearby Virginia on personal business. The only expense to the county will be the cost of his transportation between Virginia and Washington D.C.

Story Link: http://www.etruth.com/Know/News/Story.aspx?id=494354
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