On Dec. 3, the AGC co-chaired Transportation Construction Coalition (TCC) urged House and Senate negotiators to complete action on the fiscal year 2020 transportation appropriations bill. Both the House and Senate have passed their own versions of the legislation and must now agree to a compromise bill. The TCC applauded both the House and Senate versions for fully funding the program levels authorized by the FAST Act. It also called for the final bill to include at least $2.7 billion in supplemental highway funding and $750 million in supplemental public transportation funding to address surface transportation needs in all states, $1 billion for the BUILD grant program, and additional funding for Airport Improvement Program grants. The U.S. Department of Transportation programs, along with other federal programs, are currently operating under a short-term continuing resolution that expires on Dec. 20.
AGC joined with a coalition of 33 other organizations calling for the Council on Environmental Quality (CEQ) to finalize revisions to the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) regulations as proposed last year. In a letter this week the groups told CEQ the proposed changes would allow for increased infrastructure investment and project development in a manner that strengthens our economy and enhances environmental stewardship. The letter also pointed out that revisions to the NEPA review process should aim to increase transparency and predictability as well as coordination between federal agencies to eliminate unnecessary barriers that prevent or delay the implementation of important projects. AGC participated in a Nov. 20 meeting at the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) to further discuss the need to update these rules.
Passes Funding Legislation that Repeals Federal Highway Cut
On Nov. 21, Congress sent FY 2020 funding legislation to President Trump that includes AGC-backed repeal of a $7.6 billion cut to federal highway funding, known as a “rescission,” that was scheduled to take place on July 1, 2020. This rescission—required by the current federal highway and transit law, the FAST Act— would have affected all 50 states and the District of Columbia by limiting local flexibility and possibly hindering the ability to plan and carry out critical projects. AGC applauds Congress’ action to repeal this rescission and will continue to monitor the progress of FY 2020 spending legislation to ensure continued investment in our nation’s infrastructure.
Check out AGC’s new jobsite tour brochure that will assist you in hosting state and local elected officials on tours of construction jobsites. This brochure provides information on how to successfully plan and execute a successful jobsite visit with an elected official from the invitation to the thank you notes. As you may know, one of AGC’s advocacy goals this year has been to help member companies host job site tours for members of Congress to provide a hands-on learning experience of the construction industry. These events have been successful in discussing workforce development, infrastructure funding, federal regulations, and other issues critical to our members with those who have legislative authority over our industry. While AGC will continue to complete jobsite tours with members of Congress, we hope you will use this resource to host state and local elected officials on your construction jobsites.
On Nov. 12, the U.S. Department of Transportation announced approximately $900 million in grant awards through the Better Utilizing Investments to Leverage Development (BUILD) transportation grant program to improve the Nation’s surface transportation infrastructure. The fiscal year 2019 funding was awarded on a competitive basis to 55 projects across the country. The BUILD grants program receives federal funding through the annual transportation, housing and urban development, and related agencies appropriation bill. To view the list of projects and the summaries of individual projects, please click here.
On Nov. 14, AGC joined transportation stakeholders in urging Congress to repeal a $7.6 billion cut to federal highway funding, known as a “rescission,” scheduled for July 1, 2020. The rescission—required by the FAST Act—affects all 50 states and the District of Columbia (specific impacts by state here) by limiting local flexibility and possibly hindering the ability to plan and carry out critical projects. Specific information on the impact to individual states is needed to bolster the case for corrective legislative action. To that end, AGC is requesting that AGC chapters and members please share any information regarding the short- and long-term impacts of the rescission on individual states with AGC’s Murphie Barrett.
AGC’s Lean Construction Forum is focused on growing the implementation of lean practices in the construction industry by providing educational opportunities and developing a community where anyone with an interest in lean construction can come together to engage in a dialog on best practices, share information, and participate in a broad, coordinated effort to promote and define the use of lean concepts and processes within the construction industry.
On Nov. 4, the Federal Highway Administration released a table showing the cut, known as a rescission, to each state’s federal highway funding as required by the FAST Act. Specifically, the FAST Act requires an approximately $7.6 billion cut in federal highway funding on July 1, 2020. If allowed to take effect, this cut will limit states flexibility to address their individual needs and can negatively impact their ability to plan and deliver critical projects. AGC, along with a broad coalition of stakeholders, is continuing to urge Congress to repeal this cut as part of any must-pass legislation this year.