Update: Congress formally approves 6-month extension
Source: AASHTO Journal, Sept. 16, 2011
The United States Senate put its formal stamp of approval on extending the federal highway program for another six months. PHIA reported earlier this week that Congressional leaders were close to making a deal to delay the reauthorization of the nation’s highway program until March 2012 rather than address the issue this fall.
That deal came to fruition late last night when the Senate voted 92-6 to send President Barack Obama a measure extending authorization at current funding levels for federal highway and transit programs until March 31. Also part of the bill was an extension for federal aviation programs until Jan. 31. The House of Representatives passed the bill by voice vote earlier in the week without any debate. Read more
Chaos in Washington: Another federal extension looming
While many had hoped that Congress would enact a long-term federal transportation bill, it appears that the decision will be to kick the can down the road for yet another six months.
According to several news reports, the U.S. House and Senate this week are expected to act on legislation brokered by Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.) and House Speaker John Boehner (R-Ohio) to extend the federal surface transportation programs for six months. The House is scheduled to consider the measure as early as today.
The legislation would extend current levels of funding for Pennsylvania through the end of March 2012. Most importantly, the deal is expected to extend the federal gas tax for the same six-month period. Read more
POSTPONED: U.S. House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee Comes to PA
PHIA Vice President Thomas Lawson was invited by the U.S. House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee to be a part of a special committee “listening session” to discuss the deep transportation funding problem in Pennsylvania. The committee is coming to Pennsylvania in conjunction with PA congressmen Patrick Meehan, Bill Shuster, Jim Gerlach, and Lou Barletta.
The meetings have been postponed due to pending votes by Congress in Washington. PHIA will provide new details when they become available.
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Overcoming our infrastructure deficit
Below is an article that appeared in the June 28th edition of Politico.
By: Rep. James Oberstar
June 28, 2010 04:11 AM EDT
The U.S. surface transportation system was once the envy of the world. In recent decades, however, our roads, bridges, trains and transit have slipped into decline while other nations have made robust investments. Read more
