Sen. Fischer Touts Her Infrastructure Bill at AASHTO
Nebraska Republican Sen. Deb Fischer called on state transportation directors to consider the legislation she recently introduced that would transfer funds into the Highway Trust Fund.
“America needs a new plan. And we need a new plan so we can successfully meet those shortfalls that we’re facing in funding, but also so we can strengthen our transportation system,” Fischer said at the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials conference in Washington on March 2.
“I understand that new solutions to longstanding, complicated problems are often met with skepticism, especially by those of you on the frontlines,” added the senator, who is chairwoman of the subcommittee that oversees trucking policy.
AASHTO posted a video of her remarks on its website.
In February, Fischer introduced a bill that would propose depositing $21.4 billion annually for five years into the trust fund starting Oct. 1, 2020. That’s when the trust fund’s spending authority expires.
Her bill also would establish a voluntary remittance agreement plan between states and the Federal Highway Administration. Under the agreements, states would be able to exchange part of their federal highway funds for more control over highway projects.
Republican leaders have yet to indicate if Fischer’s bill would be considered in committee.
On Feb. 28, President Trump called on Congress to approve a $1 trillion infrastructure investment plan. He did not lay out funding parameters for the plan.
