Posted at 10:59 a.m., Thursday, February 13, 2003
Lawmakers back Senate bid to boost travel
Advertiser News Services
Eleven lawmakers from states that rely heavily on tourism, including Hawai'i, want budget leaders in Washington to spend $100 million to promote travel in the United States.The money, which the Senate included in its 2003 spending package, would provide states with matching grants to try to lure back foreign travelers after the slump caused by the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks.
Lawmakers from California, Florida and Hawai'i sent budget leaders a letter last week asking that the travel-promotion provision be retained in the final version of the massive spending bill that will pay for most government operations in 2003. That legislation is poised to clear final negotiations between the House and Senate.
