Jim Riley, Director, Government Affairs
John Boling, Director, Government Affairs
Joe Colaneri, Director, Government Affairs
Patricia Maeder, Division Coordinator
www.nssga.org
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e-Digest
- MID-MAY TARGET DATE FOR SENATE SAFETEA VOTE
- SENATE DEBATES SUBSTANCE; BOND STORMWATER AMENDMENT TABLED
- GRASSLEY-BAUCUS AMENDMENT WILL WAIT UNTIL AFTER RECESS
- FRIST WILL NOT OFFER AMENDMENT
- TCC FLY-IN BLITZES CAPITOL HILL
MID-MAY TARGET DATE FOR SENATE SAFETEA VOTE
A cloture motion to limit debate on SAFETEA, S. 732, tentatively is set to be filed May 10, when the Senate returns from its weeklong recess. According to Senate aides, a vote on the bill is likely to occur either May 12 or 13. The House of Representatives has already passed its bill, and lawmakers will try to reconcile the two versions before the sixth extension of federal highway and transit programs expires on May 31.
SENATE DEBATES SUBSTANCE; BOND STORMWATER AMENDMENT TABLED
By a vote of 51-49, the Senate today tabled an amendment to SAFETEA offered by Senate Environment and Public Works Transportation and Infrastructure Subcommittee Chairman Kit Bond (R-Mo.) to remove language requiring that 2 percent -- or $867 million over five years -- of transportation construction funding be set aside to mitigate against storm water runoff. The Transportation Construction Coalition (TCC) supported the Bond amendment because the current language would force highway funds to be diverted to non-transportation purposes, including storm water mitigation activities already eligible for Surface Transportation Program funds.
GRASSLEY-BAUCUS AMENDMENT WILL WAIT UNTIL AFTER RECESS
When senators return from their weeklong recess, they will take up an amendment from Senate Finance Committee Chairman Charles Grassley (R-Iowa) and Ranking Member Max Baucus (D-Mont.) to increase the authorized spending in the highway bill. Senate aides have estimated that the Grassley-Baucus amendment would raise the $284 billion currently authorized in the bill by between $10 billion and $15 billion.
FRIST WILL NOT OFFER AMENDMENT
Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist (R-Tenn.) has decided not to offer as a separate amendment his plan to increase the minimum rate of return for all states from the current 90.5 percent to 92 percent. His plan also would guarantee that all states receive at least 15 percent more highway funding than under current law. Frist ran into opposition to shifting transportation spending from non-construction accounts to boost construction levels. Subsequently, the Majority Leader agreed April 26 not to offer his amendment in exchange for a commitment that his fixes would be included in the Grassley-Baucus amendment.
TCC FLY-IN BLITZES CAPITOL HILL
The Transportation Construction Coalition Fly-In held April 26 and 27 brought more than 450 individuals to Washington, D.C. to lobby on behalf of getting a reauthorization bill done and increasing highway funding. Over 125 of the Fly-In participants work for NSSGA member companies, ensuring that the aggregates industry was well represented in this massive lobbying effort. NSSGA members met with congressional leadership including Senate Majority Leader Frist, Assistant Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.), Senate Republican Conference Chairman Rick Santorum (R-Pa.), and National Republican Congressional Committee Chairman Tom Reynolds (R-N.Y.) among others. Our thanks to all who participated!