This Week in Washington
For the Week Ending February 2, 2001This weekly report is written by the American Society of Civil Engineers? Government Relations staff. If you have questions or comments about any items in this report, please contact Brian Pallasch, Michael Charles, Martin Hight, Austin Fulk, or Liz Hermsen by e-mail or at 202/789-2200.
Inside This Week:
- Representatives Urge President to Fully Fund Highway & Aviation Programs
- Thanks to Those Who Completed Infrastructure Survey
- U.S. Representative Speaks at National Capitol Section Meeting
- QBS Victory in Virginia
1. REPRESENTATIVES URGE PRESIDENT TO FULLY FUND HIGHWAY & AVIATION PROGRAMS
Leaders on the U.S. House Transportation & Infrastructure Committee recently urged President Bush to fully fund the $53 billion in highway and aviation projects previously
approved by Congress in the President's upcoming FY 2002 budget proposal. U.S. Rep. Don Young (R-Alaska), the Chairman of the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, and Rep. Jim Oberstar (D-MN), the Ranking Democrat, made their request on January 31 in a letter to Bush, which also praised Bush's selection of Norm Mineta as Secretary of Transportation.
Young and Oberstar stated that on behalf of the Republican and Democratic Members of the Committee, they were requesting that Bush's first budget submission to Congress include full funding commitments embodied in the Transportation Equity Act for the 21st Century (TEA 21) and the Aviation Investment and Reform Act for the 21st Century (AIR 21). "These funding levels are critical to modernizing our surface transportation and aviation infrastructure - both of which are experiencing increasing gridlock," Young and Oberstar wrote. As approved in the Transportation Equity Act for the 21st Century (TEA-21) and Aviation Investment and Reform Act for the 21st Century (AIR-21) bills, the FY 2002 funding levels are $32.8 billion for highway projects; $6.7 billion for transit; and $13.4 billion for aviation - a total of $52.9 billion.
They also noted that in addition to funding numerous important projects in all 50 states, the anticipated $5 billion increase in highway funds over FY 2001 funding would ensure some 283,000 construction-related jobs. "I'm concerned that the budget process may divert this $5 billion to non-highway and non-transit programs," Young said. "This would not reflect the overwhelming sentiment of the Congress. In addition, the AIR-21 funding level would provide increased money that is vital for modernizing the FAA's air traffic control systems and increasing our airports' capacity levels - both which are necessary to avoid further gridlock," Young said. "When these trust funds were created, we made a promise to the American people that the revenues from their transportation taxes would be used to improve our national transportation infrastructure," Oberstar said. "TEA-21 and AIR-21 keep that promise."
2. THANKS TO THOSE WHO COMPLETED INFRASTRUCTURE SURVEY
A special thanks to all ASCE members who completed the Infrastructure Survey. We greatly appreciate your involvement in public policy issues that affect the civil engineering profession. ASCE's Communications and Government Relations Division recently conducted an on-line survey to gather information about the latest issues and concerns surrounding your local infrastructure. The survey results will be used for the release of the 2001 Report Card for America's Infrastructure and as a way to illustrate the problems and the policy solutions presented in ASCE's assessment. The 2001 Report Card for America's Infrastructure will re-assess the 10 infrastructure areas that ASCE graded in its 1998 Report Card (roads, bridges, mass transit, aviation, schools, drinking water, wastewater, dams, solid waste, and hazardous waste), and examine two new categories (waterways and energy transmission). As with the 1998 Report Card ASCE will not only report on the state of our nation's infrastructure, but will also offer viable public policy solutions that can be adopted by the 107th Congress. We appreciate your time and expertise in answering the questions. If you have any questions or comments, please contact ASCE's Communications and Government Relations Division at govwash@asce.org.
3. U.S. REPRESENTATIVE SPEAKS AT NATIONAL CAPITOL SECTION MEETING
The National Capitol Section on February 1 held a successful event with Congressman James Oberstar, Senior Democrat on the U.S. House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee. Section Director Geoff Baskir reported that the reception/dinner was well attended and Congressman Oberstar gave a considerable amount of his time. The Section gained quite a bit of insight into his views on the infrastructure issues facing the 107th Congress, and it proved worthwhile for all who attended. Kudos to the National Capitol Section for inviting a Member of Congress to their meeting! If your Section or Branch would like information on how to hold a similar program, please contact Liz Hermsen, ASCE's Manager of Grassroots Programs at (202) 789-2200 or lhermsen@asce.org.
4. QBS VICTORY IN VIRGINIA
The Virginia Section is busy fighting attempts by the state legislature and governor to undermine the state's Qualification Based Selection (QBS) law. The proposal, introduced in both the state House and Senate, has the backing of Virginia's governor, and was initially considered likely to pass easily. However, ASCE members in Virginia mobilized to oppose both measures, H.B. 2520 and S.B. 1230.
The Virginia Section has been involved in a coalition with other engineering and architecture groups that would be affected by this legislation, which made it easier to respond to the threat quickly. The coalition was well prepared for this emerging issue since it had already retained the services of a professional lobbyist for this session of the Virginia legislature, and was able to focus on this emerging issue of concern. The lobbyist was especially helpful to the Section because of his relationships with legislators, and his general knowledge of the Virginia Legislature that allowed him to obtain information about the scheduling of hearings on the bill and other issues.
When the Section first found out about the bills, they, along with their other coalition members, immediately alerted other interested parties, including ASCE National. In turn, ASCE National was able to respond before the first hearing on H.B. 2520 occurred, and sent out an e-mail alert to all ASCE Key Contact Members in Virginia. This resulted in a number of phone calls and letters to Virginia legislators, including some who are members of the committees hearing the legislation.
The calls and letters were effective. On January 25, the Virginia Senate voted 15-0 to table the bill indefinitely, effectively killing it in the Senate for now. It was transferred from one committee to another one in the House, so it is still alive and could be passed by that body. Already, the Virginia Section has been very effective and appears to be winning. Still, they realize that they have a lot more work to do to protect the integrity of QBS in their state. Congratulations to the Virginia Section and keep up the good work!
