Congressman John Mica of Florida, Chair of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, has announced his outline of a new six-year transportation authorization bill which would cut funding 34% from current levels.
The proposal would also consolidate 70 programs and eliminate direct federal funding for transportation enhancement programs such as bicycle and pedestrian infrastructure. Although states would be given flexibility to use funds on bicycle and pedestrian projects if they choose, the federal requirement would be gone.
The proposal does not establish a national infrastructure bank as called for by many on both sides of the aisle, but would bolster state infrastructure banks. Thirty-two states already have such banks. Michigan is not one of them. On the public transit side, it appears that the historical 80/20 split between highways and transit wouild be maintained.
Commenting on the congressional climate, Congressman Mica noted that there is virtually no chance of passing a bill with additional funding. "Have you seen the votes on the floor," he asked. "They would vote down a Mother's Day resolution if it had extra spending." With that in mind, Mica has outlined a proposal that would spend approximately $230 billion a year over six years. This compares to the $450 billion proposed last year when Democrats controlled the House, and the $560 billion program currently proposed by the President.
Recall that numerous studies, including one by the American Society of Civil Engineers, said the U.S. needs to invest an additional $1 trillion beyond current levels in the next 10 years just to maintain a state of good repair and meet demand. Another by the Urban Land Institute concluded that the country needed to $2 trillion to rebuild roads, bridges, water lines, sewage systems and dams that are reaching the end of their planned life cycles. Read stakeholder group reactions here.
Over the years, efforts to maintain, rebuild and enhance our nation's infrastructure has been a bi-partisan effort. Not so much this time with congressional Democrats lambasting Mica's proposal as a job-killer. On the Senate side, Senator Barbara Boxer, who chairs the comparable Senate committee looks ready to introduce a two-year flat funding bill that would need a additional $12 billion in order to keep the Highway Trust Fund solvent. However, it would essentially keep of the current program and policy initiatives in place.
In spite of Mr. Mica's best efforts, the bottom line is that this proposal cuts funding for our transportation network by over one-third and would set back substantially efforts to maintain the system in a state of good repair ("fix it first"), and to provide more transportation options.
With the latest extension of the current funding act set to expire on September 30, the League will be working with our national partners such as the National League of Cities and Transportation for America as these proposals are debated and advanced.
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.
