Washington, D.C. –(ENEWSPF)–March 24, 2015. Today, Ranking Member of the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure Peter DeFazio (D-OR) blasted the House Republican budget for slashing investments in new transportation infrastructure projects and cutting family-wage, American jobs. During floor debate on the Republican budget, DeFazio slammed Republican leadership for offering a budget that would devolve much of the federal responsibility to the states.
“As Ranking Member of the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, I am strongly opposed to the devastating cuts to surface transportation infrastructure investment under this plan and the resulting blow to the economy, the construction industry, the manufacturing industry, and hundreds of thousands of American workers… By slashing FY 2016 highway funding to almost zero, this Budget Resolution is one step down the road to devolution. In case you haven’t heard, devolution is a non-starter,” said DeFazio.
The Republican Budget purports to “reform” the Highway Trust Fund by limiting expenditures out of the Trust Fund in FY 2016 to receipts coming in. The impacts of this misguided approach are profound. According to the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), this approach would result in a 99 percent cut in new highway funding in every state [a state-by-state breakdown of Republican cuts to transportation is attached]. States would not receive any funding for new transit projects in FY 2016.
FHWA estimates that nearly 90 percent of a State’s outlays in a given year are for projects obligated in a prior year. By tying expenditures out of the Trust Fund to receipts, this Budget essentially means States cannot obligate funds to new projects in FY 2016. According to the Congressional Budget Office (CBO), over the next 10 years (FY 2016 – FY 2025), this approach would result in a 30 percent cut in new highway funds to States and a cut of 60 percent in new transit funds compared to today’s levels.
A recent analysis by the American Road and Transportation Builders Association shows that, if Federal funding was effectively cut, States would have to raise their own gas taxes by anywhere from 11.5 cents to $1 per gallon. The nationwide average is 23.5 cents per gallon.
“There was a time when Republicans were proud of leading the way on infrastructure investment. They were the party of Lincoln and Eisenhower. We need continued leadership to make investments in our infrastructure that will preserve our economy and quality of life for future generations. Sadly, this Budget Resolution moves backward rather than forward,” said DeFazio.
Video of the speech can be found here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h7pnI9cDjnU
Source: defazio.house.gov
