Fighting for a Slice of Smaller Transit Pie

Illustrating an era when Congress handed out lucrative federal projects left and right, a dozen portraits of distinctive dams, bridges and airports line the oak-paneled walls of the House Public Works and Transportation Committee room.

The pictures feature sweeping views of the Amoskeag Memorial Bridge in Manchester, N.H., the futuristic Dulles International Airport terminal, the picturesque Little Goose Walk and Dam over the Snake River and the vast Poe Locks serving the Great Lakes region.

Many projects were built decades ago at a cost of hundreds of millions of dollars apiece when a robust national economy fueled growth in communities large and small. In those days, many members of Congress considered it their duty to divert massive amounts of government funds to their home districts and states.

Today, Congress has precious few dollars to build bridges, dams, airports and interstates. But as three long days of congressional hearings held last month in the high-ceilinged committee room demonstrate, House members have no qualms about scrapping over the crumbs.

About 220 witnesses appeared before the Subcommittee on Surface Transportation to request special consideration for funding in fiscal year 1995. The parade of witnesses included nearly 100 House members seeking money for more than 200 projects. One estimate placed the total dollar amount of requests at 30 times greater than the transportation funds that will be available next year.

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California, with eight of 63 members on the full committee, was well-represented at the hearings. About 20 members of the congressional delegation joined with local and state officials to lobby for everything from park-and-ride lots in Sonoma County to improvements on Bristol Street in Santa Ana.

Some argued that local highway projects were needed to save lives. Others did their best to leave a lasting impression with Subcommittee Chairman Nick J. Rahall II (D-W. Va.), who chaired the hearings. Rep. Sam Farr (D-Carmel), a freshman Democrat, wore a necktie depicting brightly colored trains while asking for $4.75 million in engineering studies to build a coastal rail commuter line in Santa Cruz County. After finishing his remarks, Farr pressed a button on the tie that blared “I’ve Been Working on the Railroad” over the sound system. The music elicited a prolonged groan from Rahall.

The most impressive show of political support came from a bipartisan group of 15 congressional, state and local elected officials. They pushed for $170 million to help build a rail-and-truck corridor that would connect the Los Angeles and Long Beach harbors to Union Station. The presentation, which included a four-minute slide show, slick color brochures and backing from the state’s two U.S. senators, several Los Angeles-area House members and Mayor Richard Riordan, promoted the $1.8-billion project known as the Alameda Corridor as an economic boon for Southern California and the nation.

Perhaps the least effective lobbying effort was turned in by Los Angeles area officials seeking to extend the Long Beach Freeway through South Pasadena. They were joined at the witness table by opponents of the controversial proposal, and the testimony quickly deteriorated into a heated debate. As a result, the project is given virtually no chance of receiving funding.

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The public hearings are considered an integral part of the legislative process because they ensure that everyone gets a fair shot at pitching their local projects. The crucial decisions, however, will be made far from public view and influenced heavily by Rep. Norman Y. Mineta, the San Jose Democrat who heads the full public works committee.

Mineta was like a king overlooking his court. Each time a group finished speaking, Rahall deferred to Mineta, who would thank the witnesses profusely while citing the lack of funds. Sometimes, Mineta would offer an opinion on a particular project.

When Rep. Jerry Lewis (R-Redlands) sought a highway extension in his San Bernardino-Riverside district, Mineta noted that he would personally see to it that some funds were delivered. The reason, Mineta explained, is that his mother-in-law lives in Lewis’ district.

After hearing the elaborate appeal for the Alameda Corridor, Mineta appeared to give his stamp of approval. The California delegation walked away upbeat, thinking it had cleared an early hurdle.

But Mineta is making no promises. “I think there may be some overoptimism there,” he said. “I’ve got to look at this total picture from a national perspective.”