State and Local Authorities Update Senate on IIJA Implementation

What happened: The Senate Environment and Public Works (EPW) Committee Sept. 22 heard both positive and negative stories from state and local officials as the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA) nears its one-year anniversary. Transportation department leaders from West Virginia and Delaware, along with Mayor Regina Romero of Tucson, Ariz., shared many of the same perspectives ARTBA has recently shared with Congress, including:

• Appreciation for the massive increase in investment in federal highway programs, especially in the face of inflation and other economic challenges;
• Criticism of the Biden administration’s regulatory actions, like the Federal Highway Administration’s (FHWA) proposed Greenhouse Gas rule, which is outside the scope of the IIJA;
• Concern over the Biden administration’s inaction on regulatory issues, like implementation of the ‘One Federal Decision,’ program designed to streamline project approvals.

Why it’s important: The EPW Committee has direct oversight over the IIJA’s highway program implementation. Hearing from the state and local authorities on issues they’re facing is an important step to ensure that process is running as smoothly as possible.

What’s next: As the IIJA law’s implementation continues, ARTBA will continue to share the story of the transportation construction industry and marketplace with Senators and their staff.