The American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (AASHTO) joined in support of a massive "fly-in" being conducted on Capitol Hill by the American Road and Transportation Builders Association (ARTBA) and the Transportation Construction Coalition (TCC) to draw attention to the Highway Trust Fund crisis.
On May 20 and 21, ARTBA and TCC representatives held scheduled, targeted visits with lawmakers to request their support for a provision by U.S. Senators Max Baucus (D-Montana) and Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) which will close a $3.3 billion gap in the Highway Account. Congress must approve the legislation soon in order to keep the account intact through fiscal year 2009. The proposed one-time fix would transfer $5 billion to the Highway Trust Fund through a provision included in the Federal Aviation Administration authorization bill which is now on hold.
Earlier this month, the AASHTO board of directors voted unanimously to support the Baucus/Grassley measure. Now AASHTO members from all 50 states, the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico are being asked to reach out to their Congressional delegations to educate them on this critical provision.
AASHTO Executive Director John Horsley said, "Lawmakers must understand exactly what is at stake here. Transportation translates to improved public safety, jobs and a stable economy and without Baucus/Grassley the crisis will become even greater next year."
AASHTO estimates that if the current $3.3 billion deficit in the Highway Trust Fund isn't addressed this fiscal year, it will result in a $13.5 billion, or 34%, cut in the federal highway program.
