For the ninth time in two years, the Congress and Senate have passed another extension to the current transportation authorization act.

This latest extension, which came pretty close to the March 31st deadline, will last until June 30th and comes on the heels of a longer, two year bi-partisan bill that had passed the Senate over a week ago. Unfortunately House leadership, which had previously had to nix their own proposal, was not willing to go along with the Senate bill and settled for another extension.

The Congress will be on its Easter recess soon.  Local officials are urged to speak with them about the need for a longer term transportation bill that will bring stability to decisions being made at the state and local level on rebuilding our transportation system.  

While not perfect, the Senate bill, S. 1813 and its House counterpart, H.R. 14, would be a good place to start.  See the League position statement on this bill as well as a letter that was written to the Michigan Congressional delegation.

CCC congressional update_transportationture update.doc (142.00 kb) 

s1813_congressional letter2_mar2012.pdf (167.48 kb)

Arnold Weinfeld is Director of Strategic Initiatives and Federal Affairs for the Michigan Municipal League. He can be reached at 517-908-0304 or by e-mail.