AASHTO Calls for Timely Action on Surface Transportation Bill.
Press Release Summary:
In his statement regarding Surface Transportation Bill briefing, AASHTO Executive Director John Horsley called Chairman Mica's bill "the first step" towards passing new, long-term surface transportation bill that is "desperately needed" to maintain national transportation system. Horsley went on to comment on included reforms supported by state departments of transportation and also expressed concerns about proposed funding levels included in bill.
Original Press Release:
AASHTO Calls for Timely Action on New Surface Transportation Bill
(Washington D.C.) - The American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials today issued the following statement from Executive Director John Horsley regarding House T&I Chairman Mica's Surface Transportation Bill briefing:
"Chairman Mica's bill is the first step in the process to pass a new long-term surface transportation bill that is desperately needed to maintain our national transportation system. This proposed legislation features many reforms that state departments of transportation support including: consolidation of federal transportation programs resulting in greater focus on our core mission; strategies that will accelerate project delivery so states can deliver critical transportation projects faster; tools to leverage transportation funds so states can generate more value from public infrastructure investments; and distribution of nearly all federal highway funding by formula to state DOTs . States will work with Congress to assure that each state receives an equitable share of funding.
We continue to have concerns about the proposed funding levels included in the bill, but we also realize that this is the start of a process that will include not only the House, but also the Senate and the Administration.
Timely action on this bill is important. Not only does the authorization for the highway and transit programs expire September 30, 2011, but so too does the legislation authorizing the revenue to fund these programs. We urge the House and Senate to move the legislative process regarding reauthorization of this program forward as swiftly as possible so bills can be passed in both bodies and final legislation can be presented to the President for signature prior to the September 30 expiration date."
The American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (AASHTO) is the "Voice of Transportation" representing State Departments of Transportation in all 50 states, the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico. AASHTO is a nonprofit, nonpartisan association serving as a catalyst for excellence in transportation. Follow us on Twitter at: http://twitter.com/aashtospeaks.
