Nearly 500 construction industry executives participated in the Transportation Construction Coalition (TCC) fly-in this week, visiting with Senators and Representatives about the need to pass long-term transportation reauthorization legislation with additional revenue to prevent a significant drop in federal transportation investment.
At a legislative briefing to prepare for the visits, House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee Chairman John Mica (R-Fla.) reported that a six-year reauthorization bill is in the final stages of being drafted and should be available by mid to late June. Chairman Mica said he intends to have a six-year bill passed by the House by the end of the summer. He indicated that funding will be set at levels supported by current Highway Trust Fund revenue, which is about 30 percent below current fiscal year levels, but that he plans significant reforms to the program’s administration that will allow the nation to do more with less.
Ranking T&I Committee Democrat Nick Rahall (W.V.) called for increased funding and said that all options for raising the needed revenue, including an increase in the motor fuels fee, should be on the table for consideration. He fully supports the effort to reform the program’s operation. Federal Highway Administrator Victor Mendez detailed the administration’s request for increases in transportation infrastructure and pledged to work with Congress to identify a source to raise the needed revenue.
AGC participants were given separate briefings to prepare for their visits, which covered 3 percent withholding requirements, water infrastructure investment and transportation reauthorization. A special presentation by a media consultant explained garner support from the public for increased transportation investment.
For more information, please contact Brian Deery at (703) 837-5319 or deeryb@agc.org
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