The Dept. of Transportation has unveiled its fiscal 2003 budget, which includes a request for $59.3 billion in funding to help provide for improved security and safety of the nation's transportation system.
The ‘03 budget represents an overall increase of $4.7 billion, or 8%, when adjusted for a reduction in highway spending required by law.
“President Bush's budget proposal for transportation will enable our department to meet his three preeminent goals for America: winning the war at home and abroad, protecting our homeland and reviving the economy,” Transportation Secretary Norman Mineta said.
In a press briefing, deputy transportation secretary Michael P. Jackson said the fiscal ‘03 budget for transportation includes $4.8 billion for the first full year of funding for the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) and $7.1 billion for the Coast Guard, representing the largest increase in the nation's history for the armed force.
The $430-million budget request for DOT's National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) includes $205 million for operations and research.
That amount covers funding to implement the Transportation Recall Enhancement, Accountability and Documentation (TREAD) Act, which will enable NHTSA to pursue new rulemakings for dynamic rollover tests, improve child safety restraints for automobiles and resume statutory responsibilities under the Corporate Average Fuel Economy (CAFE) program.
Continuing DOT's emphasis on improving highway safety, the budget provides $371 million for the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration, an increase of 8%, to help reduce the number of traffic accidents involving trucks and buses.
