Memorandum from Phillip Hughes to President Dwight D. Eisenhower Regarding the Highway Act

acphoves :1 1959 EXECUTIVE OFFICE OF THE PRESIDENT BUREAU OF THE BUDGET WASHINGTON 25.D.C. SEP SEP 21 1959 SEP17 1959 MEMORANDUM FOR THE PRESIDENT statement Subject Enrolled Bill H. R. 8678 - Federal-aid Highway Act of 1959 Sponsor - Rep. Fallon (D) Maryland issued Last Day for Action September 22, 1959 - Tuesday Purpose To enable continued construction of the Interstate Highway System on a pay-as-you-build basis, to further restrict Federal control of billboards, to provide for a study of Alaska and Hawaii highway needs, and to authorize funds for miscellaneous highway projects. Agency Recommendations Bureau of the Budget - Approval Department of Commerce - Approval Department of Agriculture - Approval Council of Economic Advisers - Approval Department of the Treasury - No objection Special Assistant for Public Works Planning - No objection (informally) Department of the Interior - No recommendation Discussion A. Main provisions The bill provides revenues to the Highway Trust Fund that will enable the Secretary of Commerce to apportion part of 1961 and 1962 interstate highway authorizations among the States by increasing the tax on gasoline by one cent until June 30, 1961, and diverting amounts equal to a 5 percent excise tax on automobiles, parts and accessories, etc., to the Fund for the three years following that date. It also reduces the 1961 authorization of the Interstate Sys- tem from $2.5 billion to $2 billion. It approves the 1958 estimate of the cost of completing the Interstate System as a basis for apportioning the 1962 authorization. The EX