HECKEMEYER QUESTIONS HIGHWAY BILL

Congress is taking the wrong approach in trying to pass a federal highway bill, says 8th District congressional candidate Anthony J. Heckemeyer.

The Sikeston Democrat said Congress should return more federal highway money to the states.

"What Washington does is take our money to Washington, rake off a commission for all their pet projects and send us back what is left," said Heckemeyer. "That figure is usually the least they can get away with."

Heckemeyer said states build highways, not the federal government.

He suggested earmarked highway funds be turned back to the states like city sales taxes are distributed back to cities.

The federal government should keep a percentage of the revenue to operate the U.S. Department of Transportation, but it should be a very small percentage, he said.

States should decide what projects are funded, said Heckemeyer. Too often the federal government gives money to states for specific transportation projects, and the projects are what Congress and the federal government want, not necessarily what a state or its people want.

"That is bad government," he said. "Washington itself is the biggest special interest we have to fight today. Government is not bad. It has just gotten off course."

Heckemeyer is one of three Democrats who hope to unseat Republican Rep. Jo Ann Emerson in November.

Emerson and 99 other House Republicans have written the House leadership urging it to move ahead with efforts to pass a federal highway bill. House leaders have agreed to try to finish work on a new highway bill before the April recess.

Heckemeyer agreed with Emerson on one point. "I want to join her in her criticism of the Republican leadership in the House," he said.

Emerson had been critical of House leaders for not pushing for quicker action on the bill. That criticism led to the request in the letter to House Majority Leader Dick Armey.

Heckemeyer said a highway bill recently passed by the Senate is crammed with $31 billion in pork-barrel projects. "The Senate bill is drastically over the balanced-budget agreement," he said.

House Republicans want action on a similar highway bill, Heckemeyer said, accusing House Republicans of wanting to pass the bill for political purposes.

"The Republicans in the House are desperate to get that bill out so they can come home and claim something for everybody," he said.

Heckemeyer expects to win the primary election in August. Emerson is seeking re-election to a second term.

"I am going to come at her like an elephant out of the woods," Heckemeyer said of his campaign.