Is Our Infrastructure Making the Grade? We Know the Answer
July 22nd, 2014 | By: America's Infrastructure Report Card
A few weeks ago, a new report from CG/LA Infrastructure and Autodesk offered a six-point plan to address the dismal D+ grade from our 2013 Report Card for America’s Infrastructure. As Rep. John Delaney (D-MD) put it, “there are real economic costs associated with our infrastructure gridlock. This is a domestic emergency.” Throughout the new report, we see many parallels between the six recommendations and both the Vision and Key Solutions offered in our Report Card: leadership at all levels of government, promoting sustainability and resilience, and making sure that we have comprehensive plans in place to make the best decisions on how to spend our limited dollars. Perhaps the most critical point between the two reports is that we need to view all of the recommendations through the lens of an interconnected infrastructure system. It’s not about choosing a sector to prioritize first – whether that be roads, water, or our energy grid. Unfortunately, our maze of agencies and jurisdictions that deal with infrastructure policy are most often set up that way. In order to keep the momentum going to raise the grades, we are going to have to embrace a holistic method of infrastructure planning that recognizes that the system is only as good as its weakest link. Our water treatment plans rely on vast quantities of energy. Our ports rely on reliable roads and railroad connections to move goods off the docks to your local store. We know that long-term planning, leadership, and innovation are the answers. We have examples of cities and states that are tackling ambitious projects across our infrastructure modes, but we need more of this type of leadership. Only then will we have an infrastructure system ready to support a growing 21st-century economy.Bipartisan Governors Coalition Presses Congress to Act on Transportation Funding
January 31st, 2014 | By: America's Infrastructure Report Card
This week, 17 Governors signed a letter urging congressional members to act to find a long-term revenue solution for the Highway Trust Fund and avoid a potential nationwide transportation funding crisis. The Highway Trust Fund, the funding mechanism that drives our nation’s investment in transportation infrastructure, is facing its fifth revenue shortfall since 2008. Motor fuel and truck excises supporting the Highway Trust Fund have not been adjusted in 20 years. As a result, the trust fund will be insolvent by the end of the year. “If Congress does not act to address this shortfall, we expect Federal support of highway and transit projects led by state transportation departments will cease in October,” said North Carolina Governor Pat McCrory. “Without renewed federal funding, states are left in a very serious financial crisis that impacts public safety and local economies,” McCrory added. Added Oregon Governor John Kitzhaber, “Investment in our transportation system is part of the backbone of a strong national economy. The Federal Government should do all it can to avoid the insolvency of the Federal Highway Trust fund. These dollars directly fund construction and maintenance projects, and provide needed construction jobs in states across the country.” On January 14, Oklahoma Governor Mary Fallin (R-OK), testified before Congress in her capacity as Chairman of the National Governor’s Association and urged Congress to take action. “States need federal funding stability and certainty to pursue long-term planning and project delivery,” said Governor Fallin. “All funding options must be on the table for evaluation because existing resources are no longer adequate,” she added. The following 17 governors signed the letter urging congress to act: Governor Mike Beebe (D-AR), Governor John Hickenlooper (D-CO), Governor Neil Abercrombie (D-HI), Governor Patt Quinn (D-IL), Governor Martin O’Malley (D-MD), Governor Mark Dayton (DFL-MN), Governor Steve Bullock (D-MT), Governor Pat McCrory (R-NC), Governor Maggie Hassan (D-NH), Governor Jack Dalrymple (R-ND), Governor John Kitzhaber (D-OR), Governor Tom Corbett (R-PA), Governor Lincoln Chafee (D-RI), Governor Dennis Daugaard (R-SD), Governor Peter Shumlin (D-VT), Governor Jay Inslee (D-WA) and Governor Scott Walker (R-WI). ASCE is an active member of the National Transportation Coalition, a bipartisan group of governors and transportation advocates working together to push Congress to take immediate action on vital federal highway legislation.Tags: congress, Funding, governors, highway trust fund, leadership, transportation
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