Rule change could cut highway spending

Jan. 4, 2011
Rep. John Mica (R-Fla.) has not even had the chance to warm his seat as the chairman of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, but he is quickly warming up to the wants and needs of the industry.

Rep. John Mica (R-Fla.) has not even had the chance to warm his seat as the chairman of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, but he is quickly warming up to the wants and needs of the industry.

Responding to a strong outcry against the repeal of TEA-21 provisions, Mica is working feverishly with other representatives and leaders to protect the Highway Trust Fund. The Republican-dominant House is expected to vote on rule changes Jan. 4 and 5, and one possible outcome could lift a protective measure that prevented lawmakers from reducing Highway Trust Fund spending so that spending elsewhere could be increased. The proposed rhetoric still guarantees not to spend Highway Trust Fund balances for anything outside of transportation, but eliminates the part where lawmakers promise to spend the entire Highway Trust Fund balance for transportation-related items.

Several industry associations, including the Associated General Contractors of America, the American Road & Transportation Builders Association, the American Concrete Pavement Association, the American Highway Users Alliance, the American Association of State Highway & Transportation Officials, and the American Traffic Safety Services Association, signed a letter to members of House leadership objecting to the change.

Republicans, however, believe the rule change will support a campaign promise of reducing the federal deficit.

“This proposal simply ensures we won’t be required to spend more on transportation projects than we take in,” Brendan Buck, spokesman for the Republican transition team, said in an e-mail to The Hill newspaper. “At the same time it protects the Highway Trust Fund by ensuring every penny of the gas tax is spent on highway and transit projects.”

The effect of the move runs deeper than that, according to industry trade associations. The fear is Congress would be able to cut spending below the guaranteed levels in the legislation, an action that has been extremely difficult to execute. Under the existing provision, any member of Congress can raise a point of order to stop a reduction in spending of the Highway Trust Fund.

Sponsored Recommendations

The Science Behind Sustainable Concrete Sealing Solutions

Extend the lifespan and durability of any concrete. PoreShield is a USDA BioPreferred product and is approved for residential, commercial, and industrial use. It works great above...

Proven Concrete Protection That’s Safe & Sustainable

Real-life DOT field tests and university researchers have found that PoreShieldTM lasts for 10+ years and extends the life of concrete.

Revolutionizing Concrete Protection - A Sustainable Solution for Lasting Durability

The concrete at the Indiana State Fairgrounds & Event Center is subject to several potential sources of damage including livestock biowaste, food/beverage waste, and freeze/thaw...

The Future of Concrete Preservation

PoreShield is a cost-effective, nontoxic alternative to traditional concrete sealers. It works differently, absorbing deep into the concrete pores to block damage from salt ions...