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.Volume 4, No. 21 |
June 6 , 200808 |
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Technical Corrections Bill Signed Into Law
Earlier this afternoon, the President signed into law the bill H.R. 1195, making a series of technical and substantive changes to the 2005 SAFETEA-LU surface transportation law.
As previously reported, this bill restores the federal cost share of the Innovative Bridge Research and Development (IBRD) program to an 80/20 split with the federal government paying 80% of the High-Performance Concrete Bridge Technology Research and Deployment initiative.
The bill also provides contract authority and funding, $45 million for FY 08 and 09 for the high-speed Magnetic Levitation (MAGLEV) rail project. The funds would be allocated to the Las Vegas to Prim segment, 50%, and the remaining “for existing MAGLEV projects located east of the Mississippi River using such criteria as the Secretary deems appropriate.” It is anticipated that the East Coast projects will the Pittsburgh, Baltimore, and Chattanooga.
Contact John Sullivan or Leif Wathne.
House Committee begins Hearings on Reauthorization Transportation Bill
The House Transportation and Infrastructure Highway and Transit Subcommittee held a hearing today on maintaining the nation's highway and transit infrastructure. This is just one of many upcoming hearings regarding the reauthorization of SAFETEA-LU.
Today's witness list included:
- Allen Biehler, Secretary of Transportation for the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania,
- Pete K. Rahn, Director of the Missouri Department of Transportation,
- Leo Bowman, Benton County (Wash.) Commissioner, (also National Association of Counties' Vice Chair),
- Stephen E. Slickman, Executive Director – Regional Transportation Authority
- Michael Allegra, Assistant General Manager & Chief Capital Development Officer, Utah Transit Authority, and
- Linda Watson, Chief Executive Officer, LYNX, the Central Florida Regional Transportation Authority.
A recurring topic among witnesses was a request for uniform flexibility in using federal highway dollars between the various capital improvements funds and the need for maintenance funding. Transportation and Infrastructure Committee Chairman Jim Oberstar (D-Minn.) stated that there needed to be “balance” when considering that request.
He stated there was a great potential that the growing need for maintenance could consume all the available federal highway funding.
Contact John Sullivan or Leif Wathne.
Senate Climate Change Bill Fails
The Senate took up S.3036, the Lieberman-Warner Climate Security Act of 2008 on the floor this week.
Using a strategy of delay tactics and consistent messaging on costs to the economy, Republican lawmakers were successful in blocking passage. >
Following several procedural votes, U.S. Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.) and Senate Environment and Public Work Committee Chair Barbara Boxer were unable to gain consensus to limit the number of amendments to the bill, and today they failed by a vote of 48 to 36 to bring the bill to final debate.
Both Presidential candidates Barack Obama (D-Ill.) and John McCain (R-Ariz.)were absent from the vote, but indicated they would have voted in favor of proceeding with the bill, foreshadowing action on the issue next year.
Contact Jessica HogleDefense Authorization Measure Includes Sustainability, Life-Cycle Cost Language
The recent markup of the U.S. House of Representatives' Department of Defense authorization bill for fiscal year 2009 included legislative and report language aimed at shifting the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers ’ policy on the use of construction materials.
More specifically, the bill includes language requiring that “principles of sustainable design” be included “in documents submitted as part of military construction projects.” Those projects are to incorporate “life-cycle cost-effective practices as an element in project budgets.”
The National Concrete Masonry Association, a North American Concrete Alliance partner, has been working with members of the House Armed Services Air and Land Forces Subcommittee and senior House Armed Services Committee staff to address the industry’s concerns about the Army Corps of Engineers use of materials in military construction projects.
The language appears to apply not just to the Corps but to all military service branch construction projects. This is a positive development that will ensure the continuity of our legislative changes regardless of the political changes at the Corps, the other service branches, and the Department of Defense that may take place as a result of the election. A military service wide program may also prevent the Corps from attempting to delay or circumvent Congress’ legislative intent.
The Senate schedule for floor debate on the authorization bill has not yet been set.
Contact Bill Plenge.
Because of a loss of electrical power from violent storms in the Washington, D.C. metropolitan area, the headquarters office of the National Ready Mixed Concrete Association, Silver Spring, Md., is closed temporarily.
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