Notice to Media

Highway Commission and Congressional Delegation to Meet Thursday

LITTLE ROCK (4-11) – Four members of Arkansas’ congressional delegation will be in Little Rock on Thursday, April 12, 2001, to meet with all five members of the Arkansas Highway Commission, according to Highway Commission Chairman John “M” Lipton of Warren.

The meeting will take place at 10:30 a.m. at the Highway Department’s Central Office Building in Little Rock.

The purpose of the meeting is to discuss highway needs and revenue shortfalls that exist in the state. “We believe this face-to-face dialogue will lead to a better understanding of the state’s current situation when it comes to highway needs and funding,” Lipton said. “The Highway Commission asked for this meeting and we’re pleased that four of the six members of the congressional delegation will attend. If we can all become more attuned to the situations in Washington and here in Arkansas, then we can better focus our efforts to fund needed highway improvements in as timely a manner as possible,” he added.

Expected to attend are Senators Blanche Lincoln and Tim Hutchinson and Representatives Marion Berry and Mike Ross. Representatives Vic Snyder and Asa Hutchinson will be out of the country and unable to attend, but are sending staff representatives.

Commission Chairman Lipton, Vice Chair J. W. “Buddy” Benafield of Hickory Plains and Commissioners Prissy Hickerson of Texarkana, Jonathan Barnett of Siloam Springs and Carl Rosenbaum of Little Rock will be in attendance. Dan Flowers, Director of the State Highway and Transportation Department and other key staff personnel will also take part in the meeting.

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