Obama cites ASCE Report Card, calls for Infrastructure Improvement
January 25th, 2011 | By: America's Infrastructure Report Card
The state of the nation’s infrastructure took center stage tonight during the President’s State of the Union address. Among the proposals President Obama put forward for creating jobs and growing the economy is improving the nation’s infrastructure. President Obama wants to “win the future” and we can’t do it with a failing infrastructure. Citing the D ASCE gave the nation’s infrastructure in its 2009 Report Card for America’s Infrastructure, the President urged Congress to take immediate action to invest in infrastructure.Our infrastructure used to be the best – but our lead has slipped. South Korean homes now have greater internet access than we do. Countries in Europe and Russia invest more in their roads and railways than we do. China is building faster trains and newer airports. Meanwhile, when our own engineers graded our nation’s infrastructure, they gave us a “D.”In this tough fiscal environment, there is sure to be a tough fight over funding priorities this year, but it’s clear that we we can’t afford to wait any longer to improve the nation’s infrastructure. Despite the upcoming fight, it’s great to hear the cheif executive make infrastructure a priority. Let’s get out there and win the future!
Tags: infrastructure, state of the union address
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Amendment to Block Trust Fund Diversions Fails
January 6th, 2011 | By: America's Infrastructure Report Card
After a mighty effort by members of ASCE and other transportation and infrastructure organizations, Republicans this week voted to remove guarantees that gas tax revenue be used solely to fund surface transportation projects and that yearly appropriations do not have to be at their authorized levels. While this is is certainly a blow to transportation advocates, it is still unclear if surface transportation funding will be cut. In addition, the Senate did not enact any such provision. ASCE and our coalition partners will be extra vigilant as spending proposals are released in the coming months. Grassroots advocates should be on the lookout for opportunities to let their representatives know that gas tax revenue should only go to surface transportation projects and that infrastructure improvement creates jobs.Keep the TRUST in the Trust Fund – UPDATE
January 4th, 2011 | By: America's Infrastructure Report Card
As we reported last week on this blog, incoming Republican House leadership is proposing a new rule for the 112th Congress that would strip out guarantees that federal gas taxes be used solely for authorized transportation purposes. ASCE and our coalition partners have been working to oppose this rule, and while it is still on the agenda, we can see some of our efforts making a difference. Thanks to the quick work of our grassroots advocates who contacted their representatives, Rep. Steven LaTourette (R-OH) offered a compromise amendment to the rule that maintains the current prohibition against using gas taxes for other purposes, but will allow transportation programs to be funded below the authorized level. This amendment is supported by incoming Transportation and Infrastructure Committee Chairman John Mica (R-FL). Another (troubling) sign that our message is getting out there and that people are realizing the potential consequences of the proposed rule is that Wall Street is having second thoughts about the profit potential in the infrastructure market. UBS this morning downgraded Vulcan Materials from a “buy” to a “neutral” citing potential political problems as the reason. Without even putting the rule into effect yet, this plan is already having negative consequences on the economy. We must reverse this trend. It’s not too late to act, please contact your member of Congress and let him or her know you oppose this plan. Send an instant message here.
