Mica Holds Transport Hearing in Maitland; This is What He Didn't Hear

U.S. House Transportation Committee Chairman John Mica was in Maitland on Monday, conducting a field hearing on pending major transit legislation.

According to a release from the Florida Republican's office, the hearing was a forum "to gather information and innovative ideas for drafting a long-term reauthorization of the nations highway, transit and highway safety programs."

Invited speakers included "transportation stakeholders." Oddly or not, no taxpayer representatives were among them.

Sharon Calvert, head of Hillsborough County-based No Tax for Tracks, was rebuffed in her effort to join the panel, so she sent in her comments via e-mail.

In contrast to the special pleaders from local governments, high-speed rail purveyors and the "disabled community," Calvert's pitch was fiscally restrained and public-spirited.

"We believe the federal Highway Trust Fund needs to be fundamentally reformed," Calvert told Sunshine State News, noting that 40 percent of the funds are diverted away from highways.

Calvert favors Sen. Jim DeMint's "Transportation Empowerment Act," which would dismantle the trust fund and let states keep their gasoline tax money.

"Florida is only getting 80 cents back on every (gas tax) dollar sent to Washington," Calvert said. "The interstate highway system is all but built out; let the states determine where the money is best used."