Stutzman Questions Sec. LaHood on Sign Policy

Congressman Marlin Stutzman (IN-03) and other Members of Congress sent a letter to Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood requesting a change to the unfunded local signage mandate under the Manual for Uniform Traffic Control Devices (MUTCD) Section 2A.08. With replacement signs that meet the new "retroreflectivity levels' costing upwards of double compared to the signs they are replacing this is an enormous burden being placed on local communities in a time of strained budgets. Highway safety is of the utmost importance, yet this is a case of the federal government over-reaching into local and state jurisdictions.

"I have heard from many of the communities in Northeast Indiana, both large and small, that have concerns about dealing with another unfunded mandate from the federal government." Stutzman said "Secretary LaHood has already stated that this mandate "makes no sense' and does not "take into account the high costs that local governments would have to bear.' It is astounding that the administration will state that the mandate is wrong but has done nothing to put a stop to it."

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