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Questions and Answers About Federal Transportation Funding
The debate in Washington over investing in our transportation infrastructure – for the short-term and long-term – is complex and politically charged. The Transportation for Illinois Coalition (TFIC) is using its “Paved in Full/Moving Ahead” campaign to answer the tough questions and urge Member of the Illinois Congressional Delegation to make the right choices for a sound economic future:
Q: Why is there no transportation funding plan in place now?
A: Putting together a long-term plan to replace the last authorization (SAFETEA-LU, which expired in September 2009) takes intense negotiation and give-and-take. There have been many other complicated issues taking precedence on Capitol Hill since then. TFIC’s hope is the next authorization will soon take priority because repeated extensions and proposals that would reduce infrastructure spending (like the Mica proposal) are taking a heavy toll on construction material suppliers and the industries they support.
Q: Doesn’t another extension simply buy Congress more time to procrastinate?
A: It could, but that’s why the TFIC’s Paved in Full/Moving Ahead campaign and similar work by others in the industry is so important. We’ll never have the transportation system we want and need if we don’t get serious about a real plan for the future. This campaign will show how important our work is to our nation’s economy. We turn the federal fund investment into an economic engine that provides much greater benefits than its initial cost. So while we’re not thrilled to be talking about another extension, we know the Senate plan to extend funding at current levels for another two years will enable us to continue discussions with legislators and ensure the right long-term vision is fully developed and supported.
Q: Isn’t the debt limit debate a reminder that we all have to do more with less?
A: Transportation investment and results are very transparent and intertwined with our economic health. When we don’t invest, we see dramatic pain. Unfortunately those responsible for our roads, bridges and transit systems have been forced to underinvest by doing more with less for too long already. The House’s six-year plan would lead to cuts of more than 30 percent in many states. In Illinois, we’d see spending drop more than 35 percent and 16,000 people would lose their jobs. On the flip side, when you put money into this system, you see immediate, long-lasting benefit. A 2008 study determined every $1 billion in federal transportation funding supports more than 34,000 jobs – many of them providing good pay for the middle class. Investing here is truly supporting America’s success.
Caterpillar CEO Doug Oberhelman addressed why money invested in transportation keeps global businesses like his competitive worldwide: “As a nation, we are at risk of falling behind other countries that have made aggressive infrastructure improvements in recent years, putting companies like Caterpillar at a competitive disadvantage.” None of us can afford the damage of falling further behind in rebuilding our roads and bridges.