Highway/Transit Reauthorization: Your Help Needed
The recently enacted extension of the federal highway and public transportation programs through the end of the year is leading some in Congress and the media to believe a multi-year surface transportation reauthorization can now be put on the back burner. Nothing could be further from the truth!
Significant progress in the House and Senate transportation committees is necessary over the next several months to prevent another extension in early 2011. While the House Highways & Transit Subcommittee has approved legislation providing an outline for a six-year bill, substantial work remains before it can move forward. On the other side of Capitol Hill, the relevant Senate transportation committees are still developing proposed legislation. The good news is the leaders of these committees in both chambers are actively engaged in producing the multi-year bill the nation and the transportation construction industry needs. The bad news is that these efforts are largely taking place behind the scenes.
Creating momentum for these authorization bills to move forward will require all rank-and-file members of the House and Senate to hear about the critical need for this legislation to stabilize state transportation programs and boost hiring and economic contributions from the U.S. transportation construction industry. This message must come from you—their constituents.
There are two ways you can play a leadership role:
Contact your Representative and Senators while they are at home this week to tell them:
- How the economic slowdown and federal/state transportation investment uncertainty are impacting your firm.
- A long-term highway/transit program bill is necessary to begin addressing America’s transportation needs and strengthen the U.S. economy in the short- and long-term.
- To please urge their congressional leaders to push for action on a multi-year bill as soon as possible.
Register today for the 2010 ARTBA Federal Issues Program and Transportation Construction Coalition Fly-In.
The best way to boost the prospects for action on reauthorization is to make a powerful demonstration of how critical this legislation is by having a record turnout in Washington, D.C., for these events May 24-26. For more information and to register, please visit www.artbafederalissues.org. To make hotel reservations, please call 800.233.1234 and ask for the ARTBA Federal Issues Program discount.
Preserving the Highway Trust Fund and federal transportation investment for the remainder of 2010 was a great first step. Now we need to finish the job and push for action on a six-year surface transportation program reauthorization.