The Congress and President have agreed to legislation that provides a "clean" short-term extension of the funding authorizations for both federal highways and the Federal Aviation Administration. The FAA extension is through January 2012, and the highway extension would last until March 1, 2012.
The "clean" extension is considered a victory for transportation advocates who have been fearful that, given the climate surrounding the federal deficit, the extensions and the expiration of the federal gas tax would become a calling card for deficit hawks. A "clean" extension means that there were no policy changes and funding levels remain constant.
In the end that did not happen as the tone from House Republican leaders such as Rep. Cantor has changed in just the past two weeks, acknowledging that the American public has grown more tired and more cyncial of the constant partisan bickering over the budget.
Arnold Weinfeld is Director of Strategic Initiatives and Federal Affairs for the Michigan Municipal League. He can be reached at 517-908-0304 or e-mail.
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