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Newsline Washington
MARCH 25, 2013
Dueling Budget Resolutions Highlight Infrastructure Challenges
FY 2013 Transportation Investment Fulfilled, Attention Turns to FY 2014
The U.S. House of Representatives last week approved by a narrow 221207 vote a FY 2014 budget resolution that, among other things, contains the new law’s surface transportation investment levels for FY 2014 of $40.3 billion for highways and $10.7 billion for public transportation. The Senate was expected to pass their version of a budget proposal over the weekend Continued on page 2
ASCE Gives Highways, Transit, Aviation Grade of D; Bridges C+ The American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE) issued its quadrennial report card on the nation’s infrastructure conditions March 19 showing slight improvement in the past few years. But the report emphasizes a continued need for strategic investment and policies to upgrade highways, transit, bridges, airports, rail, ports and inland waterways, Continued on page 3 Follow ARTBA:
The House and Senate last week approved legislation to prevent a government shutdown March 28. The legislation funds all federal programs for the remaining six months of FY 2013, fully funds the FY 2013 investments authorized in last year’s surface transportation law MAP-21 ($39.7 billion for highways and $10.6 billion for transit). Attention now turns to making
sure Congress also honors the FY 2014 commitments in the appropriations process for the upcoming year. Gauging support for the federal transportation programs is difficult. Congress overwhelmingly passed MAP-21 last year and both chambers passed the recent “continuing resolution” by significant margins—318-109 in the House and 73-26 in the Senate.
However, transportation investments were merely a part of a bigger measure and none of these positive signs can serve as a reliable indicator of transportation’s standing in the coming fights over the nation’s long-term fiscal situation and tax reform. Furthermore, past FY 2014, the federal Highway Trust Fund faces long-term structural challenges as Continued on page 4
Applications for PRIDE Award Nomination Due March 29 ARTBA Washington Newsline
House, Senate Offer Disparate Budgets Continued from page 1
that assumes MAP-21’s FY 2014 surface transportation investment will be honored and also proposes “a $100 billion targeted jobs and infrastructure package” that would consist of a $50 billion program to repair high priority existing transportation facilities, $10 billion for ports and waterways improvements, $10 billion to establish a national infrastructure bank, $20 billion to upgrade school technology, and $10 billion for worker training. Neither proposal addresses the longterm structural challenges to the Highway Trust Fund and neither plan is expected to pass the other chamber as written. If and when a compromise budget between the two chambers is actually passed by the full Congress, that document will provide guidance to the appropriations committees in setting funding levels for federal discretionary programs, including transportation. As always, we will keep you apprised of any developments as they occur.
Trade using surface transportation between the United States and its North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) partners Canada and Mexico rose by 6.2 percent in 2012 compared to 2011, totaling $960 billion, according to the Bureau of Transportation Statistics (BTS) of the U.S. Department of Transportation. Surface transportation includes freight movements by truck, rail, pipeline, mail, other modes of transport, and goods moving into Foreign Trade Zones.
2013
Upcoming Events Visit our Events Page for more information. Federal Issues Program & TCC Fly-In June 3-5 Washington, D.C. [Add to Calendar]
Young Executive Development Program June 3-6 Washington, D.C. [Add to Calendar]
5th Annual Transportation Construction Law & Regulatory Forum June 5 Washington, D.C.
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25th Annual ARTBA P3 Conference July 24-26 Washington, D.C. [Add to Calendar]
ARTBA National Convention September 8-10 Milwaukee, Wis. [Add to Calendar]
Dr. J. Don Brock TransOvationTM Workshop & Awards Program October 28-30 San Jose, Calif.
Local Transportation Management Virtual Conference & Innovation Showcase (LoTransTM 2013) November 19-20
Regional Meetings
Western: December 2-3, Austin, Texas Central: December 4-5, St. Louis, Mo. Southern: December 9-10, Charlotte, N.C. Northeastern: December 11-12, Baltimore, Md.
American Infastructure Rated D+ Continued from page 1
as well as other forms of infrastructure. In the highway category, ASCE notes a slight improvement from “D-“ to “D” in recent years owing it to investments made in the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009. The Federal Highway Administration estimates that more than $170 billion in annual capital investment is needed to significantly improve conditions and performance. ASCE bumped the grade for bridges up to a “C+” due to the overall number of structurally deficient bridges trending downward. However, they say an additional $8 billion is needed annually to eliminate the nation’s bridge backlog.
because agencies continue to struggle with increasing maintenance costs alongside declining revenues. Aviation again earned a “D” as airline travel remained fairly stable during the recession. The Federal Aviation Administration estimates airport congestion cost the economy $24 billion in 2012, and that without significant improvements will increase to $34 billion in 2020. Inland waterways once again received a “D-” because service interruptions and barges, which are sometimes delayed for hours driving up the costs of goods shipments. Railroads earned a “C+” in this year’s report as Amtrak had record ridership and both freight and passenger rail have invested
heavily in their tracks, bridges, and tunnels. Finally, ASCE added ports as a new category in 2013 and gave them the inaugural grade of “C” citing the freight throughput currently handled by U.S. ports and planned investments between now and 2016. Read the full report.
The grade for transit remained a “D”
ARTBA Hosts Illinois Emerging Leaders
Products & Services Support ARTBA’s Foundation & 2013 Work Zone Safety Week
With National Work Zone Awareness Week scheduled for April 15-19, the ARTBA Foundation has two popular products you can purchase to show your commitment to safety and also help support the “Lanford Family Highway Worker Memorial Scholarship Fund.” Work Zone Awareness Safety Ribbons: These one-inch-bythree-inch adhesive ribbons are made from retro-reflective orange tape and are the perfect accessory. Wear them on the jobsite or at meetings. Minimum order 15 ribbons per page for $15. Work Zone Safety Awareness Wristbands: The Livestrong Foundation first made them famous and now their are replicas all over the world. Wear your bright orange wristbands on the jobsite or at meetings to show your support for work zone safety. Minimum order 20 wristbands per bag for $40. To Purchase: www.artbastore.org
ARTBA hosted fellows of the Illinois Road and Transportation Builder Association’s (IRTBA) “Emerging Leaders Program” (ELP) March 19 in Washington, D.C. ELP, modeled after ARTBA’s Young Executive Development Program (YEDP), exposes rising industry stars to ways they can play a greater role in promoting, protecting, and improving the future of the transportation construction industry. ELP participants visit ARTBA headquarters each spring during a trip to the Nation’s Capital with IRTBA’s officers and other board members. ARTBA President & CEO Pete Ruane welcomed the group and underscored the importance of industry stakeholders being actively involved in advocacy and education efforts. He also discussed the need for increased federal investment in our infrastructure. ARTBA’s Chief Economist Dr. Alison Black and Senior Vice President of Government Relations Dave Bauer briefed the group before their visit to Capitol Hill, where they met with members of the Illinois congressional delegation.
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Overheard “A natural, legitimate federal role.”
Senate EPW Ranking Member David Vitter (R-La.) in a March 19 “Politico” story expressing his view about how conservatives should view the role of the federal government on road and water infrastructure issues.
“In the times we live, it’s very difficult…to move something like that generally. That being said, we in the House are going to do tax reform. When you do a big grand package of tax reform, there may be opportunities to do that. Standing on the rooftops saying you want to increase the gas tax…is not the most effective way to do that.” House T&I Committee Chairman Bill Shuster (R-Pa.) March 19 on the opportunity to stabilize the Highway Trust Fund.
Legislative & Regulatory News FY 2014 Continued from page 1
recently outlined in a recent Congressional Budget Office analysis requested by House Transportation & Infrastructure Committee Ranking Member Nick Rahall (D-W.Va.). According to that analysis, the Trust Fund may only be able to support a $100 million federal highway program and $1 billion federal transit program in FY 2015 unless Congress increases revenue for the Highway and Mass Transit Accounts. As such, we urge you to contact your members of Congress—they will be back home in their districts from now until April 9—and urge them to continue supporting federal transportation investments as a national priority that moves our economy. Let them know that you, your family, and your company are an important part of your community and that your business relies on elected officials supporting a wellfunded national transportation system. Set up a meeting or jobsite visit. You can find local office information for your delegation by using the ARTBA Grassroots Action Center and entering your zip code. If you need any additional assistance, please contact ARTBA’s Hank Webster.
Senate Committee Unanimously Passes Water Bill The Senate Environment and Public Works (EPW) Committee March 20 unanimously approved S. 601, a proposed renewal of the Water Resources Development Act (WRDA) 4
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which authorizes investment in ports, waterways, dams, and levees. The legislation does not yet specify the amount of investment that would be authorized for these programs, but it does notably include an ARTBA-supported provision to ensure all Harbor Maintenance Trust Fund (HMTF) user fee revenues and interest (roughly $1.5 billion per year) are invested annually in port and harbor dredging projects. The HMTF currently has a balance in excess of $7 billion, accumulated through years of underinvestment. Similar to MAP-21, the Senate WRDA measure would prioritize environmental streamlining and project delivery methods to ensure projects move forward in a timely manner without undercutting existing environmental protections. ARTBA will continue to work with Congress to support provisions such as the HMTF investment guarantees and project approval process reforms. Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.) has indicated he hopes to move the bill to the Senate floor for votes in April or May.
ARTBA News ARTBA Urges Support for Municipal Bonds ARTBA, along with 58 other organizations, wrote Senate leadership March 19 urging continued support for the current treatment of tax-exempt municipal bonds as Congress looks to work on comprehensive tax reform later this year. The Senate’s FY 2014 budget resolution proposes a cap on so-called “tax expenditures” which could potentially dis-incentivize municipal bond purchases by capping the exemption on interest earned from such a financial instrument. Municipal bonds are a key tool for states and local governments to finance public infrastructure projects, including transportation. Read the letter.
Multimodal News
Fostering Innovation
A service of ARTBA’s multimodal councils, it features current transportation developments making news across all modes and regions. Contact Sara Jones to become a subscriber or visit www.artbamultimodal.org.
TRB Newsletter: March 19 Highlighting new research, technologies, industry best practices and information resources available to the transportation design and construction industry.
ARTBA Cites Benefit of Traditional and Innovative Financing Solutions ARTBA Vice President for Economics and Research William Buechner told a March 18 infrastructure financing forum convened by U.S. Representative Rosa DeLauro (D-Conn.) that the federal government must pursue both innovative financing mechanisms for individual infrastructure projects and new revenues to fund increased core federal investment in existing transportation programs. DeLauro is a longtime champion for creating a National Infrastructure Bank. Buechner pointed out the nation has vast unmet transportation needs in areas where publicprivate partnerships and federal loan guarantees are not viable alternatives. He emphasized ARTBA’s strong support for innovative financing tools and the 25th anniversary of the association’s P3 Division later this year. Buechner told the congressional staff and industry experts attending the session that there is no “silver bullet” to the nation’s transportation challenges and that we must pursue an “all of the above” approach to deliver the national transportation network needed to grow the U.S. economy.
2013 PRIDE AWARD NOMINATIONS PRIDE AWARDS
Entries must be mailed to:
Honoring excellence in community relations &
Holly DiGangi
public education that enhance the image of the
ARTBA-TDF
U.S. transportation construction industry.
1219 28 th Street, N.W. Washington, D.C. 20007
VIEW BROCHURE AND APPLICATION FORM
DEADLINE THIS FRIDAY, MARCH 29 2013 ARTBA Federal Issues Program & Transportation Construction Coalition Fly-In Featuring the ARTBA Foundation Awards Dinner
JUNE 3-5 Hyatt Regency Washington
View the 2013 Federal Issues Program schedule of events and sponsorship opportunities. LOCATION: Hyatt Regency Washington Register Online! For sponsorship opportunities, contact Ed Tarrant at 202.289.4434. Download a PDF copy of the digital “Washington Newsline.” ARTBA Washington Newsline
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Available in English and Spanish in the same download, or on DVD, this 20-minute video contains two segments. The first helps company managers understand what to look for when purchasing personal protective equipment (PPE) and provides tips on motivating workers to wear it. The second—and most valuable—is a “must-see” for your company’s employees. It compares scenes from sporting events to roadway construction work, educating workers about the importance of properly wearing their PPE even if they don’t see the hazards around them.
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This 20-minute training video, aimed at helping managers, operators and workers, is available as a download or on DVD, and offers “common sense” tips and information about safe work procedures to reduce and eliminate the hazards which lead to death and injury for roadway construction workers.
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BOOKS The Hazard Communication Answer Book
Price: $85
The OSHA Answer Book, now in its 10 th edition —“The Anniversary Issue” – has been called an “excellent resource for any size business” by the “Washington Post.” According to “Forbes,” “It’s affordable and the author is an excellent writer… it’s worth more than the double the price.” With more than 100,000 copies sold, The OSHA Answer Book is your one-stop resource designed to provide you with quick answers to complicated issues. It includes: a complete listing of all OSHA’s recordkeeping regulations; sample forms to use; tips on what to do when an OSHA inspector shows up; coverage of all OSHA General Industry Regulations (1910) in easy-to-understand language; explanations of the Injury and Illness Prevention Program and how it applies to companies; and details on how the Obama Administration decides which workplaces to inspect.
The OSHA Answer Book
Price: $150
“The Hazard Communication Answer Book,” the book covers the revised Hazard Communication Standard, also known as Hazcom, HCS, 29 CFR 1910.1200 and Right to Know. OSHA is aligning HCS with the Globally Harmonized System (GHS), a global hazard communication system developed by the United Nations (UN) that standardizes the classification of chemicals and the communication of hazards via labels and Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDSs). With GHS alignment, the classification of chemicals will include the categorization of hazards based upon severity. Other changes will significantly alter labels and safety data sheets. This book, which also includes a Written Hazard Communication Program companies can customize on a CD, will help you: learn about the New Labels and MSDS Sheets; what the GHS is, and why your understanding of it is crucial; how the New Standard will affect your workplace; what Changes are required in Classification, Labeling, and Employee Training; what are the new pictograms? and; practical tips for compliance that you can implement right away!
Check out the full list of safety products at www.artbastore.org, or contact 6
ARTBA Sales Newsline Manager Peter Embrey: 202.289.4434, or pembrey@artba.org. ART BA Washington