Administration Considers More Funding for Highways

Following the Department of Labor's announcement that the U.S. unemployment rate in October had risen to 10.2 percent, President Obama said his administration is considering "additional investments in roads and bridges" as a way address the nation's dire unemployment situation. The president did not provide any details in terms of a time frame or how "additional investments" would be paid for, but he did make it clear that his economic team is looking at additional highway funding as a way to spur job growth.  Meanwhile, AGC and coalition partners continue to push for a six-year surface transportation reauthorization.  Working against a December 18 deadline, the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee are trying to pass a six-month extension of SAFETEA-LU in order to continue working on a long-term investment.  Objections from two Republican senators are slowing the debate, but the House has already passed a three-month extension with the intention of working on a long-term bill. For more information, contact Sean O'Neill at (202) 547-8892 or oneills@agc.org.