House Rules Changes May Affect Transportation Funding
Wednesday, December 29, 2010 at 10:59AM The article below addresses a probable change in House rules that could certainly affect transportation funding in the 112th Congress. Our team in Washington, DC is very involved, along with other key organizations in this discussion. See letter from 20 organizations below.
Ports-to-Plains staff will be in Washington, DC the week of February 7-11, 2011. In addition to telling the Ports-to-Plains story, about its importance to the region, nationally and internationally, we will be telling the story about transportation in general and its importance to the economy.
~~~~~~~~~~
American Road and Transportation Builders Association
December 27, 2010
URGENT: House Republican Leadership Proposes to End Guaranteed Highway Funding
The incoming House Republican majority yesterday unveiled its proposed rules for operating the chamber in 2011 and 2012. Authors of the package claim it will increase transparency and make it easier to cut federal spending.
Among the proposed rules changes is a repeal of the guaranteed funding requirement for annual federal highway investment. Currently, any member of the House can raise a point of order to block legislation that would reduce federal highway investment from the levels set in a multi-year reauthorization bill. These guaranteed investment levels are based on incoming Highway Trust Fund (HTF) revenues. This protection was the most significant contribution of the 1998 surface transportation bill TEA-21 as it restored integrity to the Highway Trust Fund by assuring all highway user fees collected by the federal government were invested in surface transportation improvements.
According to a press release from House Rules Committee Republicans, under this change: “Highway funding, with some exceptions, will now be treated as other general spending and therefore be subject to any member attempt to reduce the spending.”
This proposal, if approved, would allow Congress to return to the pre-TEA-21 days where highway investment was held below incoming HTF revenues to offset spending in other parts of the federal budget.
We know that many of you and your members are preparing for a much-deserved break over the holidays and, frankly, so are the people who are attempting to push these rules changes. However, Republicans will vote on this package, and amendments to it, Tuesday, January 4, 2011. Democrats will be given an opportunity to offer an alternative on January 5 (which is predestined to fail). As such, this is an entirely House GOP game and it is happening fast.
The only way this package will be modified is if House Republicans hear from their constituents over the next two weeks about the damage this proposal would do to state transportation programs and the transportation construction industry.
Please tell your House Republican current and incoming members:
-
The proposed House Rules change with respect to highway investment should be dropped as it would break the pledge with motorists by allowing federal gas tax revenues to be withheld instead of invested in transportation improvements.
-
The plan would inject further uncertainty into an already destabilized U.S. transportation construction marketplace where unemployment is in excess of 18 percent—twice the national average.
-
The 112th Congress should focus on enacting a multi-year reauthorization of the federal surface transportation program that creates jobs and boosts the economy, not on procedural maneuvers that make it easier to cut highway investment.
The ARTBA Action Hotline remains available to reach Capitol Hill offices of current Members of Congress by calling 1-888-448-2782.
We are available to answer your questions at any time in coming days.
Thank you for moving on this! And Happy Holidays to all!
Larry
Larry C. Russell
Vice President Development & National Field Operations
Managing Director, ARTBA Planning & Design Division
Executive Director, ARTBA High Speed Rail Development Council
American Road & Transportation Builders Association
(202) 289-4434 ext. 500 ph
Reader Comments (4)
Thank you very much for your thoughtful comment, and for taking the trouble to post it www.cellphonebest.net
The 112th Congress should focus on enacting a multi-year reauthorization of the federal surface transportation program that creates jobs and boosts the economy, not on procedural maneuvers that make it easier to cut highway investment.-Maurice Lacroix Skeleton swiss watches
Many smart senior people (un-named because their companies are involved in this snake-oil sale) have confirmed this for me, saying "sentiment analysis software? don't bother" ipxafx ipxafx - Belstaff chaquetas.
Excellent post. It makes me realize the energy of words and pictures. I learn a lot, thank you! Wish you make a further progress in the future. guxvaq guxvaq - Belstaff Blouson moto.