This account provides funding for virtually all of the salaries, expenses, and research and development programs of FHWA. Our request for F.Y. 1983 is $191.6 million, or about $800 thousand less than the F.Y. 1982 limitation of $192.4 million. Significant saving result from personnel reductions, elimination of the Inspector General transfer, and the termination of the Rural Transportation Assistance program. With respect to the FHWA R&D programs, we have thoroughly reviewed the various activities and I have personally cancelled several million dollars proposed for lower priority projects. In addition, I have established a new mechanism, a Contract Review Board which is chaired by Mr. Lamm, to ensure that newly proposed R&D studies attack our highest priority problems and provide new technology to meet the needs of State and local highway agencies. The increase in F.Y. 1983 results partially because the F.Y. 1982 base became so low as the result of my cuts. Efforts will be concentrated on those projects with a definite "pay off" in safety, new materials, improved techniques or some other real program benefit. Your comments from last year's hearing, Mr. Chairman, on Research and Development are still very vivid in my mind and provided useful guidance in reviewing the program. There are several programs for which we received F.Y. 1982 appropriations which are not included in our 1983 request. The Territorial Highway program and Railroad-Highway Crossing Demonstration Projects program are narrow in scope and not appropriate Federal responsibilities. The Highway Beautification program and the Highway-Related Safety Grants are not as effective as our other programs and do not merit an appropriation request. For the Highway-Related Safety Grants program, we are proposing to eliminate authority already "on the books" for F.Y. 1982 and 1983. Conclusion These are some of the basic conditions and highlights of our budget estimate. This is the second year in a row I have appeared before you on Saint Patrick's Day, and I hope the luck of the Irish continues for me. We will be happy to discuss the estimates in detail, answer your questions, and provide additional information that may be helpful to the Committee in reaching its decisions on our budget requests. GEOGRAPHICAL DISTRIBUTION OF MINORITY CONTRACTS Mr. BENJAMIN. You indicated that you are satisfied with your minority contracts. We would appreciate a breakdown of the minority contracts, state by state, in order that we might determine the adequacy of the geographic representation of minority busi nessmen. Mr. BARNHART. We will do that. [The information follows:] |