|
The Senate Finance Committee completed action on economic stimulus legislation but did not include any funding for highway construction. AGC has consistently urged House and Senate leaders to fix the Highway Trust Fund shortfall at the earliest possible opportunity and also wrote to the House and Senate to point out the economic stimulus that comes from infrastructure investment. Senators Ron Wyden (D-OR) and John Thune (R-SD) intend to introduce an amendment during floor consideration that would transfer $5 billion in transportation related revenue from the general fund to the Highway Trust Fund. The Wyden/Thune amendment would get the money out to states in the next 90 days and obligated in the first half of the year. State DOTs report that they have approximately 3,000 projects totaling more than $17 billion that are ready to go to bid if additional revenue is provided.
While adding infrastructure to the stimulus is a long shot at this point, 22 Senators wrote to House and Senate leaders this week in support of the Wyden proposal. The economic stimulus bill may be brought up on the Senate floor next week. AGC has contacted Senators in support of the Wyden/Thune amendment. Please contact your Senators and ask their support for the Wyden/Thune amendment. You can send an email to your Senator through AGC’s Legislative Action Center by clicking here.
 
|
