Highway Future Commission Meets

The "National Surface Transportation Policy and Revenue Study Commission" held its first meeting. Established in the SAFETEA-LU legislation, the Commission is charged with making recommendations concerning the future of the federal-aid highway program.

The meeting focused primarily on organizational issues including discussion of a plan of action for addressing the issues before the Commission. Each commissioner made an opening statement presenting their point of view about what issues the Commission should address. Most focused on identifying the future purpose of the federal-aid highway program and identifying the means for funding future identified needs.

Transportation Secretary Norman Mineta, the commission chair, presided over the meeting. He pointed out the dire condition of the Highway Trust Fund which will begin to run a deficit as early as 2009 and discussed the need to identify creative ways to fund future investments.

Secretary Mineta has appointed Quintin Kendall, DOT Assistant Secretary for Management and Budget to serve as the Commission's Executive Director. SAFETEA-LU requires that the commission issue a final report by July 1, 2007. Many believe that the commission's report will become the basis for drafting the next highway reauthorization bill. The next meeting was not scheduled.

Source:  AGC Highway Facts Bulletin