Transportation

In 2008, Congress will face several key transportation issues including a significant shortfall in the highway trust fund in 2009. Also in 2009, the current funding act known as SAFETEA-LU expires. This has already brought several wide ranging recommendations on how we finance our highways, roads, bridges and transit.

To improve quality of life in Michigan’s communities, multi-modal transportation infrastructure and transit operations are essential and will ensure the safest, most cost-effective transportation system.

Transportation infrastructure is a strategic investment that is essential to strengthening Michigan’s economy. Long-term reliable transportation funding sources must be found to provide base line support for infrastructure improvements and transit operations.

Federal transportation policy can play a key role in the revitalization of our communities. The federal government must be a full partner in providing support for our nation’s transportation and infrastructure system.

MML Issue Brief - (PDF)

National Infrastructure Bank – S. 1926
Legislation to create a National Infrastructure Bank, introduced by Senators Dodd and Hagel – The bill would create an independent national bank financed with a $60 billion in bonds to leverage private capital and supplement public spending to finance large capacity-building infrastructure projects "of substantial regional and national significance." State and local sponsors would submit proposals for candidate projects including roads, bridges, mass transit systems, wastewater treatment facilities and public housing. Speaker Pelosi announced support for a similar proposal cosponsored by Rep. Barney Frank in the House. Private funding for infrastructure would depend on the project having a revenue stream such as tolls or other user fees. The tax free bonds would be backed by the full faith and credit of the federal government. Sen. Dodd announced that the Banking Committee could vote as soon as next month on the proposal.

National Transportation Commission

Bipartisan Policy Center National Transportation Policy Project – A bipartisan group founded by former Senate leaders Baker, Daschle, Dole and Mitchell to develop and promote solutions that can attract the public support and political momentum to achieve real progress has put together a group to focus on transportation reform. The group will take the National Commission’s report as a starting point and suggest policy proposals that expand their recommendations in the areas of performance-based funding, climate change and energy security, road pricing, gas taxes, mobility and congestion relief, and safety and provide “alternative action steps for developing more detailed, actionable policy proposals for advancing new approaches to national transportation policy.

Building America’s Future Coalition – Coalition formed by Governors Ed Rendell and Arnold Schwarzenegger, and New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg as a bipartisan effort to focus on infrastructure renewal. The coalition is intended to revive the former Rebuild America Coalition and attract public officials and private leaders to work with both nominated presidential candidates and the Republican and Democratic parties "to ensure that the next president understands the enormity of the infrastructure crisis, is committed to increasing federal funding, and that both party platforms reflect these commitments." The Rockefeller Foundation will provide financial support for the coalition although it really is just getting underway. The sponsors took advantage of the recent National Governors Association meeting to sign up additional governors: Charles Christ, Martin O’Malley, Janet Napolitano, Deval Patrick, John Corzine, John Baldacci, Donald Carcieri, Jim Douglas, Christine Gregoire, Jennifer Granholm, Tim Kaine and Bill Ritter.

America Moving Forward Coalition – Founded by Goldman, Sachs and three foreign toll road operators dedicated to “promoting public-private partnerships as a cost-effective way to maintain and improve the nation’s crumbling transportation infrastructure system.

Contact State and Federal Affairs Division - 517.908.0305
Arnold Weinfeld, aweinfeld@mml.org
Summer Minnick, sminnick@mml.org
David Worthams, dworthams@mml.org
Andy Schor, aschor@mml.org
Samantha Jones, sjones@mml.org
Andrea Messinger, amessinger@mml.org
Nikole Brown, nbrown@mml.org