Transit and Water Needs Capture Media Attention
September 25, 2015
With the Pope making his way across our northeastern cities, the topic of traffic congestion was a popular one, highlighting our nation’s transportation needs. The Onion even joked that the Pope even tried to improve the nation’s ailing infrastructure. While not directly related to the Pope’s visit, this week in D.C., the subway system suffered......
Highway Fund in Trouble by November 20th
September 23, 2015
The U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT) recently announced that the Highway Account of the federal Highway Trust Fund (HTF) will become insolvent by November 20, 2015 if Congress fails to provide additional revenue. The HTF also has a Transit Account that will become insolvent by May 27, 2016. USDOT deems the Highway Account to......
Secretary Foxx to Congress: Raise Your Sights
September 09, 2015
In yet another sign that summer is officially over, members of Congress have returned to Washington, D.C. to conduct their fall business. Greeting them with a clear message was U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT) Secretary Anthony Foxx. “I urge [Congress] to look at the needs of their constituents – to focus on results, and not......
Despite Senate Transportation Action, House Stymies Progress
July 30, 2015
During the last two months, the Senate made good use of its time to craft a multi-year surface transportation bill with an increase in funding. As is often the way for Congress, it still came down to the wire. For over a week, the U.S. Senate has been in a mad dash to complete its......
Five (More) Myths About the Highway Trust Fund
July 15, 2015
1. Devolving the federal program to the states is a viable option Devolution is the idea of eliminating the federal government’s ability to collect the current 18.4 cents per gallon in federal gasoline taxes (absent a few cents to remain dedicated toward maintaining the Interstate Highway System) and transferring all authority over these programs to......
#FIXTHETRUSTFUND This Week: Time for Congress’ Next Move
July 06, 2015
Congress returns to D.C. this week, and we’re watching the Senate (where the most promising legislation was recently passed through the EPW Committee) to see if the Senate Commerce Committee or the Senate Banking Committee will start to mark-up their portions of the highway and transit bill. However to truly move forward, Senate leadership and the......
Senate Committee Passes Surface Transportation Bill
June 24, 2015
Today, the U.S. Senate Environment and Public Works Committee (EPW) unanimously approved a six-year, $278 billion federal highway portion of the surface transportation authorization bill, the Developing a Reliable and Innovative Vision for the Economy (DRIVE) Act. The DRIVE Act was unveiled earlier this week by EPW Committee leaders Chairman James Inhofe (R-OK), Ranking Member......
#FixTheTrustFund This Week: Keeping the U.S. from Driving into Potholes
June 22, 2015
The Highway Trust Fund (HTF) was set up in 1956 to fund the build and maintain a transportation network nationwide. Today, it is the national bank account for roads, bridges and transit that reimburses states for eligible projects. Inaction by Congress has put the Highway Trust Fund in jeopardy, and with a month left before......
Michigan Must Say Yes to Safer Roads
April 08, 2015
In Michigan, a common saying is “there are two seasons: winter and road construction.” Rough winters and underinvestment for the past 50 years have led the Great Lakes state to have some of the worst roads in the nation. And while construction season may seem constant during the warmer months, the truth is currently the......
Action to Fix Highway Trust Fund Needed by This Summer
March 09, 2015
On Monday, the Congressional Budget Office (CBO) released its latest projections on the fiscal health of the federal Highway Trust Fund (HTF). The HTF is the main source of federal money for road, bridge and transit projects and has been facing fiscal challenges for a number of years. Last summer, Congress provided a temporary infusion......