Capitol Agenda for the Week of July 16: If You Don’t Build It, They Will Come
Sen. Mike Lee (R-Utah) recently unveiled legislation that would leave it up to the states to raise the funds needed for infrastructure projects instead of having Congress do the heavy lifting and identify a long-term fix for the federal Highway Trust Fund. This contrarian perspective with regards to infrastructure funding is what’s known as devolution.
Lee and his co-sponsors, Republican Sens. Ted Cruz of Texas and Marco Rubio of Florida, would rather see governors and state departments of Transportation manage the freight and passenger corridors. Because, when every state calls on the federal government to expand its transportation funding portfolio, why not propose the opposite.
Specifically, the bill would shrink the federal gas tax to 3.7 cents per gallon after Sept. 30, 2023. The diesel tax would reach 5 cents per gallon after that date.
“Different states have different values and needs. State and local governments are perfectly capable of reflecting those values and meeting those needs with unique, customized transportation policies without the interference of politicians, bureaucrats and special interests in Washington,” Lee explained, in a statement. “The Interstate Highway System was completed decades ago, drivers are buying less gas and the federal government has wasted far too much money on nonhighway projects. It is just an outdated system that is long overdue for reform.”
American Trucking Associations is among the groups strongly opposing the bill, citing federal authorities’ impressive role in transportation.
There is no indication from committees of jurisdiction about when they plan to debate Lee’s proposal. The Utah Republican was unsuccessful in advancing his bill in 2015.
THE WEEK AHEAD: (all times EDT)
July 16, 10 a.m.: The Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee hosts a field hearing titled, “Examining the Effect of Tariffs on Wisconsin Businesses.”
July 16, 12:30 p.m.: The National Press Club hosts Major League Baseball Commissioner Robert Manfred Jr.
July 16, 7 p.m.: Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) holds a discussion titled: “CEOs vs. Workers.”
July 17, 9:30 a.m.: The National Park Service has scheduled a meeting of the “Made in America” outdoor recreation advisory committee.
July 17, 10 a.m.: The Atlantic Council presents a panel discussion on “Ready and Resilient.”
July 18, 10 a.m.: House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee examines disaster preparedness.
IN CASE YOU MISSED IT:
CANADA DRY: A voluntary reporting system for tracking cargo theft in Canada has led to a database showing a steady rise in thefts, though the true extent of the problem isn’t clear.
ATA V ALVITI: American Trucking Associations and three carriers are asking a court to rule that Rhode Island’s truck-only tolling program is unconstitutional, according to a lawsuit they filed against the state’s Department of Transportation on July 10.
BOYS OF SUMMER: On July 17, the best Major League Baseball players will play in the game’s 89th All-Star Game at Nationals Park in Washington.
ROAD TO NTDC:
New Mexico’s Loretta Bruyere is in a league of her own.
WHAT WE’RE READING:
No parties in L.A. The King needs his bike path.
BUZZ:
The Senate Environment and Public Works Committee is likely to schedule a hearing this summer that will feature U.S. EPA acting chief Andrew Wheeler, per sources.
FAVORITE QUOTE:
Doug. I’ve known you for 20 years. You’ve been in and out of government. You’ve been on TV. How do you pronounce your last name?
Sen. Roger Wicker (R-Miss.), during an Environment and Public Works Committee hearing July 11, addressing Douglas Holtz-Eakin, president of the American Action Forum.
FAVORITE VIDEO:
Soledad O’Brien takes a conversation about infrastructure and builds a bridge of bipartisanship.
FAVORITE TWEET:
Benny Beaver Comes to Washington
Congrats to @BeaverBaseball, 2018 #CollegeWorldSeries Champions! #BeaverNation pic.twitter.com/OmNJZ6iGxi — Rep Peter DeFazio (@RepPeterDeFazio) June 29, 2018
Thanks for reading Capitol Agenda. We publish weekly when Congress is in session. E-mail emulero@ttnews.com with tips. Follow us @eugenemulero and @transporttopics.
