MYRTLE BEACH, S.C. - Money earmarked for highways,
including the proposed Interstate 73 into Myrtle Beach, should not
be used for Hurricane Katrina relief, U.S. Rep. Henry Brown, R-S.C.,
says.
While there has been no decision to do so, the possibility can't
be ignored, the 1st District Republican said Thursday.
"It's just talk at this point, but I can't discount it. I'm going
to be fighting that all the way," he said.
Congress is considering various options but has made no decision
on how to pay for hurricane relief.
Interstate 73, which will connect Myrtle Beach with Michigan,
received $81 million in the recent $286 billion highway bill. The
bill also included money for the Carolina Bays Parkway near Myrtle
Beach.
A spokeswoman for the I-73 project said she was hopeful the
roadway would receive its designated funding.
"I do understand that there is $3 billion in un-obligated funds
in the Highway Bill that will probably be reviewed," project
spokeswoman Deborah B. Harwell said in a statement. "The need for
hurricane evacuation has been a significant part of the I-73
project."
While using highway money is one of several proposals being
discussed in Congress, Brown said he has already told House
leadership he will not support such a plan.
He said some constituents have called saying they support using
road money to rebuild from the hurricane. That is, Brown said, until
he tells them that the highway money comes from gas tax revenue.
He said many people think money for highways comes from the
general fund.
"I don't think the American public wants to see their gas tax
money used for general appropriations," Brown said. "Hurricane
relief ought to be a separate issue."
Congress is waiting on more specific damage estimates before
debating how to pay for repairs.Some members think damage estimates
of upward to $250 billion are inflated and include items that
insurance will cover, he said.
Brown added that some officials on the Gulf Coast are asking for
more than simply replacing what was lost, which isn't likely to
happen.
"We can't just open up the checkbook," he said.
Brown, a member of the House Veterans Affairs Committee, was to
join several House members touring the Gulf Coast on Friday to see
Veterans Affairs facilities damaged by the recent hurricanes.
