The conference committee charged with crafting a new federal transportation authorization act met for the first time last week. And although the first meeting was more about ceremonial introductory statements by members of the committee, a willingness to negotiate was noted by all.

Behind the scenes, staff is working on ironing out differences on the least controversial parts of the bill. Issues such as construction of the Keystone pipeline will no doubt be more difficult to resolve. Another complicating factor is time.  There are few session days left in which to negotiate and pass such a bill through both the House and the Senate.

The committee is chaired by Senator Barbara Boxer. That said, Michigan is represented on the conference committee as both Congressmen Dave Camp and Fred Upton have been named as conferees. Congressman Camp chairs the powerful House Ways and Means Committee and Congressman Upton the House Energy and Commerce Committee.

This means that local officials have a unique opportunity to contact both Congressmen Camp and Upton about the need for a long term solution that will help to bring certainity to decisions being made at the local level on transportation and infrastructure projects. Urge them to:

·        Support a bipartisan agreement on a long-term transportation bill that supports local government authority and funding for public transit;

·     Support current law to maintain the current threshold of 50,000 in population for remaining a Metropolitan Planning Organization and the current share of funding for metropolitan areas at 62.5 percent rather than the 50 percent that is in the Senate bill;

·     Adopt a provision in the Senate bill that would provide a 15 percent share of funding for local bridges from the overall funding for states; and

·     Support “additional activities” in the Senate bill that would help revitalize Main Streets, make streets safer for walkers and bicyclists, and allow local governments direct access for communities to these funds.

Arnold Weinfeld is Director of Strategic Initiatives and Federal Affairs for the Michigan Municipal League. He can be reached at 517-908-0304 or by e-mail

The House and Senate have named their conferees and the first meeting of the committee tasked with hammering out a new transportation authorization before the current extension expires will meet on May 8.  The most recent extension ends June 30th.

That said, Michigan is represented on the conference committee as both Congressmen Dave Camp and Fred Upton have been named as conferees. Congressman Camp chairs the powerful House Ways and Means Committee and Congressman Upton the House Energy and Commerce Committee.

This means that local officials have a unique opportunity to contact both Congressmen Camp and Upton about the need for a long term solution that will help to bring certainity to decisions being made at the local level on transportation and infrastructure projects. 

Recall that the Senate has passed a two-year, $109 billion transportation bill (S. 1813) with bipartisan support, but House Republican leaders oppose it because it does not contain their reforms for highway programs. Speaker Boehner and House Republicans also want to link revenues from expanded domestic energy production to infrastructure spending.  The House on the other hand has passed a bill that would add a additional 90 days and sets the stage for a conference committee with the Senate on their own recently passed two year bill.

The House extension however also contains a poison pill to the Obama administration, mandating construction of the controversial Keystone pipeline from Canada to the Gulf Coast.

The League and a host of transportation advocacy groups, including the American Association of State Highway Transportation Officials (this year led by Michigan MDOT Director Kirk Steudle) supported the Senate version.  While not perfect, it is a good place for negotiators to start.

Below you will find a League letter regarding the Senate bill and a fact sheet detalining where we stand on a long term transportation bill.  Please contact Congressmen Camp and Upton. 

CCC congressional update_transportationture update.doc (142.00 kb)

s1813_congressional letter2_mar2012.pdf (167.48 kb)

Arnold Weinfeld is Director of Strategic Initiatives and Federal Affairs for the Michigan Municipal League. He can be reached at 517-908-0304 or by e-mail.

With a 90 day extension of the current transportation authorization law already in place, the House has passed a bill that would add a additional 90 days and sets the stage for a conference committee with the Senate on their own recently passed two year bill.

The House extension however also contains a poison pill to the Obama administration, mandating construction of the controversial Keystone pipeline from Canada to the Gulf Coast.

Recall that the Senate has passed a two-year, $109 billion transportation bill with bipartisan support, but House Republican leaders oppose it because it does not contain their reforms for highway programs. Speaker Boehner and House Republicans also want to link revenues from expanded domestic energy production to infrastructure spending.

Members are urged to speak with their congressional representatives about the need for a long term solution that will help to bring certainity to decisions being made at the local level on transportation and infrastructure projects.  CCC congressional update_transportationture update.doc (142.00 kb)

Arnold Weinfeld is Director of Strategic Initiatives and Federal Affairs for the Michigan Municipal League. He can be reached at 517-908-0304 or by e-mail

Congress is on their spring recess during the next two weeks, giving local officials a perfect opportunity to speak with them of issues of importance such as transportation and the 2013 budget.

As you do so, please talk to them about the need for a longer term transportation funding bill that will bring stability to decisions being made at the state and local level on rebuilding our transportation system.  The Congress recently passed another 90-day extension of the current act.  The League and other local government and transportation advocates supported passage of S. 1813. While not perfect, S. 1813 and its House counterpart, H.R. 14, would be a good place to start.  .

Also speak to your congressional representative about the 2013 budget. Earlier this year, the Obama administration put its proposal on the table and the House recently passed its own. Members are urged to encourage Congress to take a balanced approach to the budget.  Be sure to speak to your representative about the importance of various federal programs you have used to improve quality of living in your community.  A sample resolution is also available for councils to adopt.

Arnold Weinfeld is Director of Strategic Initiatives and Federal Affairs for the Michigan Municipal League. He can be reached at 517-908-0304 or by e-mail.