Committee Leaders Commit to Prioritizing Surface Transportation Legislation
On January 26, 2011, the Senate Environment and Public Works (EPW) Committee held a hearing on Transportation’s Role in Supporting the U.S. Economy and Job Creation. According to Committee Chairman Boxer (D), this hearing is part of the Committee’s early efforts to get a surface transportation bill enacted in 2011.
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Testifying at the hearing were representatives from the National Industrial Transportation (NIT) League, the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials, and others.
EPW Committee Leaders Say Bill is 2011 Priority
During her opening remarks, Chairman Boxer announced that she is working closely with the Ranking Member Inhofe (R) on the next surface transportation authorization and that both agree that it is a priority and both want to see a bill enacted in 2011.
Ranking Member Inhofe noted that there are challenges involved in passing a multi-year highway bill, but that he hopes they can be overcome. Inhofe expresses the opinion that the most immediate challenge is that the Highway Trust Fund can no longer support spending significantly more funds than are collected in gas taxes.
Committee to Work with President to Address U.S. Infrastructure Needs
During his State of the Union Address, the President announced plans to redouble his Administration’s efforts on infrastructure, including repairing roads, bridges and transit, and increasing access to high-speed rail. Both Chairman Boxer and Ranking Member Inhofe praised the President for addressing this issue and pledged their cooperation. (See ITT’s Online Archives or 01/26/11 news, 11012637, for BP summary of President’s address.)
Transportation Bill Will be Focus of Another Committee Hearing on Feb 16
The Senate Environment and Public Works Committee has scheduled a hearing for February 16, 2011 on the need for Congress to act on a new transportation bill. Scheduled to testify at the hearing are the U.S. Chamber of Commerce and the AFL-CIO.
NIT League Says Recession Abated, Did Not Eliminate, Some Transport Problems
In its written hearing statement, the NIT League witness testified that the chokepoints, the backups, the delays, and other indicators of a deteriorating freight transportation system that were the daily talking points of supply chain and logistics professionals around the country did abate during the recession. But as the economy resumes normal and growing production and consumption cycles, the underlying causes of those ills will be revealed again.
Freight Stakeholders Coalition Outlines Goals for Improving Freight Mobility
According to the witness, the NIT League has joined with an array of shipper and carrier interests to form a “Freight Stakeholders Coalition” for the purpose of drawing attention to the needs of the U.S. freight transportation system. The Coalition has enunciated a ten point platform of principles representing ambitious but achievable goals for improving freight mobility on the U.S. highway system. Those ten principles are:
- Mandate the development of a National Multimodal Freight Strategic Plan
- Provide dedicated funds for freight mobility/goods movement
- Authorize a state-administered freight transportation program
- If a new freight trust fund is created, it should be firewalled, with the funds fully spent on projects that facilitate freight transportation and not used for any other purpose
- Establish a multi-modal freight office within the Office of the Secretary.
- Form a national freight industry advisory group pursuant to the Federal Advisory Committee Act to provide industry input to USDOT, working in conjunction with the new multi-modal freight office
- Fund multi-state freight corridor planning organizations
- Build on the success of existing freight programs
- Expand freight planning expertise at the state and local levels
- Foster operational and environmental efficiencies in goods movement
Senate EPW Committee to Work with House Transportation Committee
In her hearing statement, Chairman Boxer also stated that she has talked to House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee Chairman Mica (R), who agrees that enacting a surface transportation reauthorization bill should be a priority for the 112th Congress. Boxer notes that both she and Mica want to work together to get a bill done.
(The House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee recently announced plans to hold field hearings and forums on pending major surface transportation legislation.)
(See ITT’s Online Archives or 01/12/11 news, 11011216, for BP summary of House rule changes which removed the firewall separating the Highway Trust Fund from general revenue funds.)
(See ITT’s Online Archives or 02/04/11 news, 11010622, for BP summary of the most recent short-term extension of surface transportation programs.)