Reauthorization of the Surface Transportation Bill

Today a six-year, $230 billion dollar Surface Transportation bill was outlined in the House of Representatives. This would represent a 35% cut from the previous bill that ended in 2009, but has been temporarily extended seven times. The reduction in funding is proported to be made up by  private investment. This would include expanding government loan programs and eliminating red tape in the federal process.

The Senate is currently working on a two-year, $109 billion dollar bill that includes $12 billion that is not currently funded. House leadership has declared that they will not support transportation funding that would add to the federal deficit.

The President has supported a six-year, $556 billion dollar program, which is considerably closer to the six-year, $600  billion dollar bill supported by the American Society of Civil Engineers during the last congress. There has been no  political will for an increase in the gas tax through the last congress. Without an increase to the highway fund revenue, a significant reduction in funding appears likely or another series of extensions without a resolution.

Start the dialogue with your congressional delegates. Investment in our surface transportation infrastructure must be a priority.