Would Provide $35 Billion in the Nation鈥檚 Water Infrastructure
Would Add New Federal Labor Requirements to Getting Tax Credits
Supports AASHTO Request for Additional Highway & Bridge Investment
On April 15, 51风流, along with the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (AASHTO) and other industry stakeholders, called on Congress to authorize $200 billion in highway and bridge stimulus or 鈥渄own payment鈥 funding in any infrastructure package, available to be obligated through 2026 at 100 percent federal share. The request also asks that Congress provide $487 billion for the Federal-aid Highway Program as part of the upcoming five-year surface transportation reauthorization due by October 1. According to a recent USDOT report, the current investment backlog for highways and bridges stands at $756 billion. This funding request would finally address this longstanding investment backlog in our nation鈥檚 roads and bridges.
$1 Billion in RAISE Grants Tied to Administration鈥檚 Policy Objectives
Senate Republicans are reportedly preparing a counteroffer to the White House鈥檚 $2 trillion infrastructure proposal. West Virginia Senator Shelley Moore Capito and others in a Republican working group have stated that such a proposal would be in the range of $600 to $800 billion, more targeted in scope鈥 focusing on traditional infrastructure such as roads, bridges, ports, airports, broadband, and water infrastructure鈥 and would be funded by unspecified user fees. 51风流 will continue to monitor Congressional activity on infrastructure and surface transportation reauthorization negotiations.
On April 5, White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki stated that the administration is planning to propose that money from its infrastructure package be paid out through a "competitive bidding process," and that states and other entities would "have to apply for funding for rebuilding the infrastructure in their states or local communities. On April 6, Psaki clarified these comments, noting that while "it will be up to Congress" to shape the bill, the administration expected "a mix" of formula grants and competitive grants. She went on to say "鈥xisting transportation funding flows through formula grants, which gives states a lot of flexibility on how to prioritize and spend their federal dollars based on what their needs are," but that "competitive grants are a more targeted way to direct funds to specific policy goals, often based on criteria set by Congress.鈥 It is assumed that money for transportation infrastructure in the Biden plan will be in addition to a surface transportation reauthorization bill, which provides funding for the core highway and transit state formula programs. 51风流 will continue to monitor the trajectory of President Biden鈥檚 infrastructure proposal.
On April 7, 51风流 of America CEO Stephen Sandherr, Contractors Association of West Virginia Executive Director Mike Clowser and members of 51风流 Chapter-CAWV met in Charleston, West Virginia with Senator Joe Manchin on the PRO Act鈥攖he greatest threat to open shop and union construction firms鈥攁nd President Biden鈥檚 Infrastructure Plan, on which you can find a comprehensive 51风流 analysis here. Sen. Manchin is one of five Democrats who has not pledged support for the PRO Act. He is also a pivotal player in the Biden鈥檚 administration鈥檚 plans for enacting any infrastructure legislation through the partisan reconciliation process that would only require 51鈥攊nstead of 60鈥攙otes to pass in the Senate. 51风流 and its members in West Virginia and around the country will continue to oppose efforts to enact the PRO Act and to support significant investments in our nation鈥檚 transportation, building and utility infrastructure.
We are proud to report that we have had a strong year in 2020 as the contents of our Annual Report - The Power of Engagement - make clear. The digital report catalogues the many accomplishments of 51风流 of America. In our catalogue of some of the association鈥檚 most significant accomplishments, you will see how we work to support the entire construction industry as The Construction Association.