Possible Rescissions Requested For RTP Funding

In August 2005, President Bush signed into law the $300 billion federal highway funding bill, known as SAFETEA-LU.  This legislation included favorable funding for the Recreational Trails Program (RTP).  However, by December 2005, Congress expressed uncertainty about fully funding SAFETEA-LU programs (which includes RTP), and announced three rescissions that may affect RTP funding in FY 2006.  Rescissions occur when Congress takes back previously appropriated money.

The first action was a flat 1% rescission of most federal spending during the year.  This is very likely to result in a spending reduction of $700,000 of this year’s $70 million appropriation for RTP.

The second rescission was included in a FY 2006 Department of Transportation appropriations measure passed in late November.  It reduced SAFETEA-LU spending by $2 billion (roughly 5%) of about $40 billion allotted for 2006 spending. 

The third rescission was included in a Department of Defense appropriations bill that became law on December 30, 2005.  This rescission mandates cuts of slightly more than $1.1 billion in FY06 SAFETEA-LU spending – roughly an additional 3%.  This rescission is structured similarly to the second rescission – a reduction in allowed state spending, but giving the states discretion on how to allocate the cuts within each state.

The second and third rescissions give each state discretion as to which programs they may decide to cut.  The mandated spending cuts may be taken from (1) unspent funding from prior years; and (2) a variety of programs, including RTP. Consequently, RTP funds could be exempted from cuts entirely or could be reduced sharply.

The AHC continues to work with the Coalition for Recreational Trails to monitor which states will be affected and by how much.