Transportation
The Issue · Position · Status · Talking Points· Resources
The Issue
The transportation bill, known as the Safe, Accountable, Flexible, Efficient, Transportation Act: A Legacy for Users (SAFETEA-LU), directs surface transportation programs and policies for the federal government. This multi-year funding bill was originally set to expire in September of 2009, but has been temporarily extended several times. Most recently, Congress extended SAFETEA-LU until March 31, 2012. While there is wide agreement on the need for a new transportation plan, there is little consensus on how new projects should be funded.
In January, Chairman of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, John Mica (R-FL), introduced a five year transportation bill (H.R. 7), with funding levels at $286 billion. The funding levels are significantly lower that previous proposals that Chairman Mica supported. In 2009, then-Chairman, James Oberstar (D-MN) and Mica jointly introduced and passed through the committee a bi-partisan bill to authorize new transportation funding for six years, costing $500 billion. That bill never made it to the floor for a full vote by the House.
The Senate Environment and Public Works Committee Chairman, Barbara Boxer (D-CA) has offered a different approach and introduced a competing plan, S.1813 or MAP 21, which would create a two year bill, keeping the original funding levels of SAFETEA-LU.
Both bills are still faced with significant hurdles and even if both chambers pass out their current respective versions, the differences will be difficult to reconcile during conference negotiations.
Position
Transportation legislation is particularly important to NAIOP as increasing federal transportation and infrastructure funding is paramount to a thriving real estate industry and national economy. The success of commercial real estate projects depends largely on infrastructure investments and viable connectivity strategies that incorporate different modes of transportation, including highways, roads, rail and mass transit.
Congress needs to enact a new multi-year transportation bill that fully funds our nation's transportation and infrastructure needs. In addition, new innovative funding solutions should be developed to help spur private investment. NAIOP supports increased transportation and infrastructure funding, new public-private partnerships, the creation of a national infrastructure bank and new tax incentives that encourage private investments for infrastructure improvements.
Status
The current transportation bill, SAFETEA-LU, is set to expire on March 31, 2012. Congress may have to pass another short term extension before a compromise on a new transportation bill can be reached.
Talking Points
- Public-private partnerships should be expanded and new revenue sources established to solve congestion-related problems.
- Increased annual federal funding for port expansion is needed to relieve congestion problems associated with receiving and distributing imported goods.
- A national goods movement strategy is necessary to develop warehouses and other facilities effectively along trade corridors to meet future growth demands.
- Failure to invest in freight transportation will lead to an increase in congestion on roads and slow the movement of goods resulting in higher cost to consumers.
- Congress should support a national infrastructure bank and promote tax incentives that encourage private investments for infrastructure improvements.
Resources
Contact:
John Bryant
Senior Director of Federal Affairs
(703) 904-7100 ext. 162
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