The House of Representatives took the easy way out last night on rebuilding infrastructure by succumbing to a short term, temporary fix to the highway bill. Democrats and Republicans, business groups and labor groups, cats and dogs all agree that a long-term highway bill is necessary to boost our economy and keep the travelling public safe.
As Bridge Project explored in a recent report on Republican obstructionism on the highway bill, it’s Tea Party conservatives – doing the Koch brothers’ dirty work – who are forcing Congress to punt on a long-term bill.
Sen. Jim Inhofe confirmed this yesterday when he said, “The problem with this bill is really more Republicans than Democrats.”
Senator Inhofe isn’t the only Republican fed up with his party for blocking a long-term fix to fund infrastructure projects. Bridge Project’s highway bill report looked at other Republicans who desperately want their national party to stop standing in the way of infrastructure projects that will add jobs and boost our economy.
STATES URGE LONG-TERM FUNDING OF HIGHWAY TRUST
Bond Buyer: “States Have Canceled Or Deferred Almost $800 Million Of Highway Projects” As The Federal Transportation Law Is Set To Expire In May. According to the Bond Buyer, “States have canceled or deferred almost $800 million of highway projects and have put another $1.8 billion on the chopping block as the federal transportation funding law is set to expire in 67 days.” [Bond Buyer, 3/25/15]
“National And Bipartisan Groups Of Cities, Mayors, Counties, State Legislators, State Governments And Governors Have All Urged Congress Not Just To Provide Infrastructure Funding, But To Do So In A Long-Term Way.” According to the Washington Post, “The state chambers are far from alone in their call for certainty, too. National and bipartisan groups of cities, mayors, counties, state legislators, state governments and governors have all urged Congress not just to provide infrastructure funding, but to do so in a long-term way. ‘Federal inaction and short-term extensions create uncertainty at the state and local levels, which hinders transformative transportation investments and prevents our nation’s economy from moving forward,’ those groups wrote to congressional leaders in July.” [Washington Post, 2/26/15]
Chambers Of Commerce In 42 States Urged Congress To Make “A Long-Term Extension Of The Highway Trust Fund And Reauthorization Of The Surface Transportation Bill ‘A Top Legislative Priority.’” According to the Washington Post, “Chambers of commerce in 42 states want Congress to take action on infrastructure investment and they want a long-term plan. Lawmakers should make passing a long-term extension of the Highway Trust Fund and reauthorization of the surface transportation bill “a top legislative priority,” the heads of the chambers write in a joint letter to the Republican leaders of the House and Senate and the chairmen of each chamber’s transportation committee.” [Washington Post, 2/26/15]
American Road & Transportation Builders Association: “Uncertainty Caused By Congressional Action Is Already—Again—Having Real World, Negative Economic Consequences As States Begin Cutting Back Work Plans.” According to a press release from the American Road & Transportation Builders Association, “American Road & Transportation Builders Association (ARTBA) President & CEO Pete Ruane released the following statement Feb. 20: […] “The uncertainty caused by congressional action is already—again—having real world, negative economic consequences as states begin cutting back work plans because they don’t know if the funding will be there to pay the bills several months from now. ‘Investing in the transportation infrastructure that facilitates freight movement and personal mobility is a basic responsibility of government. It’s time for Congress and the President to show they can govern by providing a permanent revenue solution for the Highway Trust Fund and then pivoting to enactment of a well-funded, multi-year program reauthorization.’” [American Road & Transportation Builders Association Press Release, 2/20/15]
Arkansas
Arkansas Highway Director Scott Bennett: “We Are Hoping That A Long-Term Revenue Solution For The Federal Highway Trust Fund Can Be Found” So Planned Construction Projects Can Continue To Be Funded. According to a press release from the Arkansas State Highway and Transportation Department, “‘The Federal government is putting the States in a real bind regarding the implementation of much-needed highway projects. We are hoping that a long-term revenue solution for the Federal Highway Trust Fund can be found so we in Arkansas and across the country can continue to award planned construction projects and adequately invest in our nation’s infrastructure,’ [AHTD Director Scott] Bennett added.” [Arkansas State Highway and Transportation Department Press Release, 12/23/14]
- Bennett: “Over $160 Million Has Not Found Its Way Into Our State’s Economy This Year” Because Of Stalled Construction Projects.According to KASU.org, “‘The reality is that over $160 million has not found its way into our State’s economy this year,’ added [AHTD Director Scott[ Bennett. ‘Meanwhile, our State’s highway infrastructure has suffered severe damage from a harsh winter weather season. The lack of an overlay program is going to make repairing the damage that has occurred even more challenging. As the Federal Highway Trust Fund heads towards the fiscal cliff, we are not only facing reduced and delayed reimbursements later this year, we are also facing the absence of a Federal-aid highway program next year. Congress must act soon to solve this problem by reinvesting in our Nation’s infrastructure.’” [KASU.org, 3/24/15]
California
CalSTA Secretary Brian Kelly: “We Have Not Had In The Last 25 Years A Revenue Source In Transportation That Is Stable, Ongoing And Commensurate With Our Needs…We Have Fallen Further And Further Behind.” According to the Associated Press, “Lawmakers in Congress and statehouses across the nation are grappling with transportation funding shortfalls. In California, Brown’s vision for an eco-friendly fleet using half as much gasoline by 2030 is clashing with how the state pays for infrastructure. ‘We have not had in the last 25 years a revenue source in transportation that is stable, ongoing and commensurate with our needs,’ said Brian Kelly, Brown’s top transportation aide. ‘We have fallen further and further behind.’” [Associated Press, 2/8/15]
Iowa
The Road Improvement Program: The Poor Conditions Of Iowa’s Major Urban Roads, Highways, And Bridges “Are Only Going To Get Worse” If “A Long-Term Federal Surface Transportation Program” Is Not Approved. According to Equipment World, “Twenty-seven percent of Iowa’s major urban roads and highways are in poor condition, and 21 percent of the state’s bridges are structurally deficient, according to a report from The Road Improvement Program (TRIP). […] ‘These conditions are only going to get worse if greater funding is not made available at the local, state and federal levels,’ said Will Wilkins, TRIP’s executive director. ‘Congress can help by approving a long-term federal surface transportation program that provides adequate funding levels, based on a reliable funding source. If not, Iowa is going to see its future federal funding threatened, resulting in fewer road and bridge improvements, loss of jobs, and a burden on the state’s economy.’” [Equipment World, 2/19/15]
- TRIP Executive Director Will Wilkins: Without A Long-Term Federal Program Iowa Will “See Its Future Federal Funding Threatened, Resulting In Fewer Road And Bridge Improvements, Loss Of Jobs, And A Burden On The State’s Economy.” According to Equipment World, “Twenty-seven percent of Iowa’s major urban roads and highways are in poor condition, and 21 percent of the state’s bridges are structurally deficient, according to a report from The Road Improvement Program (TRIP). […] ‘These conditions are only going to get worse if greater funding is not made available at the local, state and federal levels,’ said Will Wilkins, TRIP’s executive director. ‘Congress can help by approving a long-term federal surface transportation program that provides adequate funding levels, based on a reliable funding source. If not, Iowa is going to see its future federal funding threatened, resulting in fewer road and bridge improvements, loss of jobs, and a burden on the state’s economy.’” [Equipment World, 2/19/15]
Missouri
Outgoing Missouri DOT Director Dave Nichols: “We Do Need A Sustainable Funding Program, A Long-Term Bill, Because It Allows States To Plan Lengthy Projects Without Disruptions Of The Federal Financing.” According to AASHTO Journal, “Senators also used the hearing to underscore other issues in a trust fund reauthorization. Claire McCaskill, D-Mo., asked Nichols to explain ‘the consequences’ for state DOTs of Congress repeatedly enacting short-term program extensions such as six-month extension from May rather than a multiyear measure. That exchange starts at about 1 hour, 3 minutes into the committee’s video of the hearing webcast. Nichols said he speaks for AASHTO and all state DOTs in saying ‘we do need a sustainable funding program, a long-term bill, because it allows states to plan lengthy projects without disruptions of the federal financing.’” [AASHTOJournal.org, 3/27/15]
- Nichols: States Need Time To Plan Projects, But “We’re Always On This Precipice” Of Possible Disruptions To Federal Funding, “And Then We’re Going To Have To Stop Or Prevent A Project From Moving Forward.” According to AASHTO Journal, “Senators also used the hearing to underscore other issues in a trust fund reauthorization. Claire McCaskill, D-Mo., asked Nichols to explain ‘the consequences’ for state DOTs of Congress repeatedly enacting short-term program extensions such as six-month extension from May rather than a multiyear measure. That exchange starts at about 1 hour, 3 minutes into the committee’s video of the hearing webcast. Nichols said he speaks for AASHTO and all state DOTs in saying ‘we do need a sustainable funding program, a long-term bill, because it allows states to plan lengthy projects without disruptions of the federal financing. It takes states time to prepare projects, but ‘we’re always on this precipice’ of having disruptions to the federal share ‘and then we’re going to have to stop or prevent a project from moving forward.’” [AASHTOJournal.org, 3/27/15]
North Carolina
North Carolina Gov. Pat McCrory On Highway Funding: “States Are In Dire Need Of Meaningful, Long-Term Congressional Action To Avoid Long-Term Dire Consequences.” According to the Bond Buyer, “State transportation departments have no certainty of federal funding after the latest extension of funding for the Highway Trust Fund expires on May 31, said North Carolina Gov. Pat McCrory, who testified on behalf of the National Governors Association. ‘The current highway funding legislation will expire in 10 weeks,’ he said. ‘States are in dire need of meaningful, long-term congressional action to avoid long-term dire consequences in our states.’” [Bond Buyer, 3/17/15]
Oklahoma
Oklahoma Governor Mary Fallin On Need For Federal Transportation Bill Passage: “States Need Federal Funding Stability And Certainty To Pursue Long-Term Planning And Project Delivery.” According to a press release from the National Transportation Coalition, “On January 14, Oklahoma Governor Mary Fallin (R-OK), testified before Congress in her capacity as Chairman of the National Governor’s Association and urged Congress to take action. ‘States need federal funding stability and certainty to pursue long-term planning and project delivery,’ said Governor Fallin. ‘All funding options must be on the table for evaluation because existing resources are no longer adequate,’ she added.” [National Transportation Coalition Press Release, 7/1/14]
Oregon
Oregon’s Department Of Transportation Will Have To Reduce The Number Of Future Highway Improvement Projects “Until The Highway Trust Fund’s Long Term Funding Challenges Are Addressed.” According to Oregon.gov, “Because ODOT’s State Highway Fund resources are generally fully dedicated to debt service, highway maintenance, and agency operations, federal highway funds are the only source of funding for new construction projects that preserve and improve the state highway system. […] According to Director Matthew Garrett, ODOT will take a conservative approach to its construction program to deal with this significant uncertainty and risk. ‘If Congress has not resolved funding for 2015 by early this fall, we will have to delay sending some projects to bid and construction,’ Garrett said. And the uncertainty will ripple into planning for the future. ‘We’re about to start work on the 2017-2020 STIP, but it’s hard to plan projects six years from now when you don’t know how much money we’re going to get six months from now. Until the Highway Trust Fund’s long term funding challenges are addressed ODOT will have to make conservative assumptions about federal funding as we begin to develop the next STIP, reducing the number of projects we will be able to develop.’” [Oregon.gov, Accessed 7/1/14]
ODOT Spokesperson Travis Brouwer: If There Was A Major Earthquake In Oregon, Without Improvements, “Areas Of The State Will Be Cut Off For Years By Highway… You’ll Be Relying On Helicopters.” According to the Associated Press, “Earthquakes were not considered a major threat in Oregon until the 1980s, and bridges built before that weren’t designed to withstand them. Scientists think the region is due for a massive quake, and officials want to make safety improvements to get ready. ‘Areas of the state will be cut off for years by highway,’ said Oregon Department of Transportation Assistant Director for Communications Travis Brouwer. ‘You’ll be relying on helicopters.’” [Associated Press, 2/21/15]
Tennessee
Tennessee Transportation Commissioner John Schroer: “I Can’t Run A Business Without Having The Consistency Of Funding… It’s Something Our Federal Government Has To Address.” According to the Times News, “Congress’ inability to pass a long-term funding solution to the Federal Highway Trust Fund is putting the brakes on Tennessee’s roads budget, state Transportation Commissioner John Schroer says. Before Congress passed a $10.8 billion short-term fix to shore up the Federal Highway Trust Fund, Schroer said the Tennessee Department of Transportation delayed action on 13 construction projects carrying a $200 million-plus price tag. All had been scheduled to be under contract this summer. ‘I can’t run a business without having the consistency of funding,’ Schroer said during a recent stop in Kingsport.” [Times News, 9/6/15]
- Schroer On Highway Funding: “Short-Term Extensions, While They Are OK, Really Don’t Address The Issue.” According to the Times News, “Congress’ inability to pass a long-term funding solution to the Federal Highway Trust Fund is putting the brakes on Tennessee’s roads budget, state Transportation Commissioner John Schroer says. Before Congress passed a $10.8 billion short-term fix to shore up the Federal Highway Trust Fund, Schroer said the Tennessee Department of Transportation delayed action on 13 construction projects carrying a $200 million-plus price tag. All had been scheduled to be under contract this summer. ‘I can’t run a business without having the consistency of funding,’ Schroer said during a recent stop in Kingsport. ‘It’s something our federal government has to address. Short-term extensions, while they are OK, really don’t address the issue.’” [Times News, 9/6/15]
Utah
Utah Governor Gary Herbet: The Uncertainty Created By A Highway Trust Fund Shortfall “Will Leave Jobs And Economic Growth At Risk In All Of Our States.” According to The Fiscal Times, “‘If Congress does not act early this year, federal reimbursements from the Highway Trust Fund for state spending on contracted transportation projects are at risk as soon as this spring,’ Herbert said Tuesday. ‘Additionally, unless Congress reauthorizes or extends federal surface transportation laws and programs, they too will expire on May 31 of this year. The uncertainty created by these two pending events will leave jobs and economic growth at risk in all of our states,’ he added.” [Fiscal Times, 1/6/15]
Published: May 20, 2015