Expect a Very Short-Term Extension on Highway Funding, ATA Official Says
WASHINGTON — The transportation community should be ready to “expect a very short-term extension” to keep highway programs solvent after funding authority expires at the end of May, American Trucking Associations Senior Vice President Chris Spear told reporters April 23.
The short-term funding patch would give transportation leaders more time to craft a long-term highway bill, which could be unveiled by the end of the year. But exactly what a short-term fix would look like remains unclear, Spear said.
“We’re hearing from the Senate side that it could be anywhere through July or fiscal year — September," Spear said, speaking at ATA’s Capitol Hill office. He added that a House version could consist of a six-month extension.
Thus far, Republicans in control of Congress have yet to say how they intend to keep the highway system funded after May 31. ATA supports an increase in fuel taxes to keep the federal Highway Trust Fund sustainable. U.S. Department of Transportation leaders have said that without a boost from Congress the fund would be unable to assist states with highway projects by early summer.
Congress has not raised the gas and diesel tax since 1993.
