Advocacy

President Obama March 18 signed into law legislation extending federal surface transportation programs through December 31, 2010. The Hiring Incentives to Restore Employment (HIRE) Act, HR 2847, whose centerpiece includes tax relief for businesses hiring new employees, also transfers $19.5 billion from the general fund to the Federal Highway Trust Fund to maintain its solvency through 2011. The Act repeals a rescission of unobligated highway program contract authority that was part of SAFETEA-LU and includes an expansion of the Build America Bonds program for state and local infrastructure.

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The Senate March 17th gave final approval to a House-passed jobs bill that includes an extension of federal surface transportation programs through December 31, 2010. The President is expected to sign the legislation into law. The vote was 68-29.

The Hiring Incentives to Restore Employment (HIRE) Act, HR 2847, includes tax relief for businesses hiring new employees. It also transfers $19.5 billion from the general fund to the Federal Highway Trust Fund, projected to become insolvent in a few months, to repay interest foregone since 1998. Prior to that year, the Trust Fund earned interest on its balance. The legislation also repeals the rescission of unobligated highway program contract authority that was part of SAFETEA-LU and includes an expansion of the Build America Bonds program for state and local infrastructure.

The transportation extension is needed to allow Congress more time to complete work on a new authorization to succeed SAFETEA-LU, which expired on September 30, 2009. The latest extension ends March 28.

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The House of Representatives March 4 approved a modified version of a Senate-passed jobs bill that includes an extension of federal surface transportation programs through December 31, 2010. The House approved the Hiring Incentives to Restore Employment (HIRE) Act, HR 2847, 217-201 after amending it to offset its cost. The vote sends the bill back to the Senate.

The legislation includes tax relief for businesses hiring new employees. For transportation programs, the bill transfers $19.5 billion from the general fund to the Federal Highway Trust Fund, projected to become insolvent in a few months, to repay interest foregone since 1998. Prior to that year, the Trust Fund earned interest on its balance. The legislation also repeals the rescission of unobligated highway program contract authority that was part of SAFETEA-LU and includes an expansion of the Build America Bonds program for state and local infrastructure.

The transportation extension is needed to allow Congress more time to complete work on a new authorization to succeed SAFETEA-LU, which expired on September 30, 2009. The latest extension ends March 28.

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The Senate March 2 approved legislation extending SAFETEA-LU through March 28, ending a two-day shutdown of transportation programs supported by the federal highway trust fund and the furlough of 2,000 US Department of Transportation employees. The bill was quickly signed into law.

The legislation, HR 4691, first approved in the House of Representatives, stalled in the Senate February 25 when Kentucky Senator Jim Bunning blocked its consideration, insisting that its $10 billion cost be offset. The legislation included temporary extensions for unemployment and healthcare benefits, medicare and the federal flood insurance program.

The last extension of SAFETEA-LU expired February 28. The latest 30-day extension was approved to allow the House of Representatives time to address various objections to the Senate-passed jobs bill, the $15 billion Hiring Incentives to Restore Employment (HIRE) Act, HR 2847, which includes an extension of SAFETEA-LU through December 31, 2010. The House may consider the HIRE Act as early as March 4.

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The Senate February 24 approved an extension of federal surface transportation programs with passage of the Senate Jobs bill, 70-28, after the legislation survived a budget point of order.

The Hiring Incentives to Restore Employment (HIRE) Act extends transportation program funding through December 31, 2010. It transfers $19.5 billion from the general fund to the Federal Highway Trust Fund, projected to become insolvent in a few months, to repay interest foregone since 1998. Prior to that year, the Trust Fund earned interest on its balance. The legislation also repeals the rescission of unobligated highway program contract authority that was part of SAFETEA-LU and includes an expansion of the Build America Bonds program for state and local infrastructure.

The transportation funding extension is needed to prevent a lapse of federal funding to state and local governments and to allow Congress more time to complete work on a new authorization to succeed SAFETEA-LU.
SAFETEA-LU expired September 2009 and the latest temporary extension expires on February 28. The House approved an extension through September 30 in its jobs bill, the Jobs for Main Street Act, passed in December.

The bill now heads to the House of Representatives. The HIRE Act is one of several anticipated Senate jobs bills designed to address the nation's unemployment.

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Haiti Emergency Response Continues

As relief efforts in Haiti continue, APWA is monitoring the offices coordinating international relief originating from the U.S. and Canada, who continue to request assistance with humanitarian aid in the form of financial contributions. While APWA recognizes that many members can provide valuable technical assistance and possess a willingness to travel to Haiti, it is important to remember not to self-dispatch. APWA has registered with the State Department and U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) as a distribution source for volunteer opportunities and information when a more organized effort becomes available for Haiti’s rebuilding of infrastructure.

As before, APWA members can make an unrestricted donation to the International Response Fund at www.redcross.org or by calling 1-800-REDCROSS (1-800-733-2767). The Canadian Red Cross site is at www.redcross.ca. The public can also help by texting “Haiti” to 90999 to send a $10 donation to the Red Cross, through an effort backed by the U.S. State Department. Also, InterAction, an alliance of U.S. non-governmental organizations, provides descriptions of specific agency relief efforts for those who would like to direct their contributions.

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Haiti Emergency Response Continues

As relief efforts in Haiti continue, APWA is monitoring the offices coordinating international relief originating from the U.S. and Canada, who continue to request assistance with humanitarian aid in the form of financial contributions. While APWA recognizes that many members can provide valuable technical assistance and possess a willingness to travel to Haiti, it is important to remember not to self-dispatch. APWA has registered with the State Department and U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) as a distribution source for volunteer opportunities and information when a more organized effort becomes available for Haiti’s rebuilding of infrastructure.

As before, APWA members can make an unrestricted donation to the International Response Fund at www.redcross.org or by calling 1-800-REDCROSS (1-800-733-2767). The Canadian Red Cross site is at www.redcross.ca. The public can also help by texting “Haiti” to 90999 to send a $10 donation to the Red Cross, through an effort backed by the U.S. State Department. Also, InterAction, an alliance of U.S. non-governmental organizations, provides descriptions of specific agency relief efforts for those who would like to direct their contributions. To access the electronic list of agencies currently operating sanctioned, coordinated efforts in Haiti go to http://www.interaction.org/crisis-list/earthquake-haiti.

APWA and CPWA members interested in volunteering for a coordinated response on rebuilding Haiti’s devastated infrastructure can register their interest and areas of expertise using the following contacts:

Center for International Disaster Information (CIDI)
http://dex.cidi.org/dstechas.aspx

Federation of Canadian Municipalities (FCM)
http://www.fcm.ca/participation/english/CFEI.asp?formAction=Apply&CallID=262

APWA is working in partnership with the International City/County Managers Association (ICMA). Through ICMA’s contract with the United States Southern Command (Department of Defense), their working relationship with USAID, and their membership in the Volunteers for Economic Growth Alliance (VEGA), ICMA will be called on to participate in Haiti volunteer reconstruction efforts. ICMA will provide APWA with information as it is released regarding these opportunities. Efforts are also underway to coordinate with Engineers Without Borders and the American Society of Civil Engineers for distribution of volunteer information.

APWA staff will continue to monitor communications from the State Department and other relief agencies, and distribute information as it becomes available. Please continue to check the APWA web site at www.apwa.net for regular updates and information. If you have questions, please contact Teresa Hon at thon@apwa.net or 816.472.6100.

Additional information on relief efforts is available through these sites:

USAID –the principal U.S. agency providing assistance to countries recovering from disaster www.usaid.gov/haiti

Clinton Bush Haiti Fund–working to provide immediate relief and long-term support to earthquake survivors
www.clintonbushhaitifund.org

Center for International Disaster Information (CIDI)–provides information and guidance in support of appropriate international disaster relief
www.cidi.org

InterAction–an alliance of U.S. non-governmental organizations (NGOs) www.interaction.org

Federation for Canadian Municipalities–represents the interests of Canadian municipalities on policy and program matters that fall within federal jurisdiction http://www.fcm.ca/

White House Haiti Earthquake Relief–official web site for the White House www.whitehouse.gov/HaitiEarthquake

U.S. Department of State–portal for information from the U.S. State Department www.state.gov

ReliefWeb–a repository of public briefings on Haiti
http://www.reliefweb.int/rw/dbc.nsf/doc108?OpenForm&emid=EQ-2010-000009-HTI&rc=2

Additional links for specific information regarding the disaster in Haiti:

CIDI Guidelines for donations - http://cidi.org/guidelines/guide_ln.htm

InterAction provides descriptions of specific agency relief efforts
http://www.interaction.org/crisis-list/earthquake-haiti

Commodities and technical assistance offers through the Center for International Disaster Information (CIDI)
http://dex.cidi.org/

Match a posted need from a relief organization currently operating in Haiti or make a general offer of products. Currently the opportunity to register as a volunteer is not available through this site. However, see the CIDI site referenced above for offers of technical assistance.
http://www.aidmatrixnetwork.org/fema/PublicPortal/ListOfNeeds.aspx?PortalID=133

Survivor information, as well as information on pending adoptions http://www.clintonbushhaitifund.org/resources.php

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The Senate February 22 cleared a procedural hurdle and agreed to limit debate on legislation that includes an extension of federal surface transportation funding through December 31, 2010. The Senate voted 62-30 to invoke cloture on the Hiring Incentives to Restore Employment
(HIRE) Act, HR 2847, a pared-down Senate jobs bill that includes several transportation provisions. The vote clears the way for final passage this week.

The legislation transfers $19.5 billion from the general fund to the Federal Highway Trust Fund, projected to become insolvent in a few months, to repay interest foregone since 1998. Prior to that year, the Trust Fund earned interest on its balance. The legislation also repeals the rescission of unobligated highway program contract authority that was part of SAFETEA-LU.

The bill includes provisions allowing tax credit bonds to be converted to Build America Bonds. Build America Bonds provide qualifying issuers a direct payment from the Treasury for a portion of the interest paid on the bond for government works projects. The provision would allow qualifying issuers of tax credit bonds the option of issuing tax credit bonds under current law, or utilizing the direct subsidy Build America Bond structure for bonds issued after the date of enactment. The federal subsidy would equal 45 percent of the borrowing cost (65percent for qualifying small issuers).

The transportation funding extension is needed to prevent a lapse of federal funding to state and local governments and to allow Congress more time to complete work on a new authorization to succeed SAFETEA-LU. SAFETEA-LU expired September 2009 and the latest temporary extension expires on February 28. The House approved an extension through September 30 in its jobs bill, the Jobs for Main Street Act, passed in December. The House and Senate will need to agree on a final extension date.

The HIRE Act is one of several anticipated Senate jobs bills designed to address the nation's unemployment.

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The US Department of Transportation announced February 17 the award of $1.5 billion in grants for 51 transportation projects under the TIGER (Transportation Investment Generating Economic Recovery) Discretionary Grant Program, authorized under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act.

The TIGER Program was included in the Recovery Act to spur a national competition for innovative, multi-modal and multi-jurisdictional transportation projects that promise significant economic and environmental benefits to an entire metropolitan area, a region or the nation. Projects funded with the $1.5 billion allocated include improvements to roads, bridges, rail, ports, transit and intermodal facilities.

USDOT received proposals for more than 1400 projects totaling nearly $60 billion. A list of recipients is available at: http://www.dot.gov/documents/finaltigergrantinfo.pdf.

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The Obama Administration released a $3.8 trillion Fiscal Year (FY) 2011 budget proposal to Congress February 1. The plan includes $1.415 trillion in discretionary spending and projects an FY10 deficit of 1.56 trillion. It also includes policies to achieve $1.2 trillion deficit reduction over 10 years (excluding war savings), more than $300 billion in tax cuts over 10 years and $100 billion for immediate job-creating investments in infrastructure, clean energy and small business tax cuts.

Discretionary spending is broken into two categories: security and non-security spending. Security spending would increase by 5.2 percent to $719.2 billion, while non-security spending would drop by $5 billion, or 1.1 percent to $441.3 billion.

Congress has begun hearings on the proposed budget. Following is an overview of the budget’s proposals for various public works and infrastructure programs.

Transportation

The proposed budget includes $79 billion for the US Department of Transportation (DOT) and its programs, about a $2 billion increase over the current year.

• Recommends extending the current SAFETEA-LU authorization through March 2011. SAFETEA-LU, the federal surface transportation law, expired September 30, 2009. The budget states that during this extension period the Administration will work with Congress to reform surface transportation programs and put the system on a viable financing path. A temporary extension expires February 28.
• Proposes $4 billion to create an infrastructure bank. The National Infrastructure Innovation and Finance Fund would invest in projects of regional or national significance. Established as a new operational unit within DOT, the fund would provide resources for projects through, grants, loans or a blend of both and will leverage non-federal resources, including private capital.
• Proposes establishing a new $30 million Transit Safety Program. The Administration late last year proposed legislation to establish nationwide safety standards and for federal enforcement of those standards.
• Proposes $527 million for livable communities. As part of the Partnership for Sustainable Communities’ multi-agency initiative with the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), the funding will assist state and local governments to invest in transportation that helps advance sustainable development.
• Proposes $1 billion to sustain large-scale multi-year support for high-speed rail. The economic recovery act provided $8 billion for high speed rail.
• Proposes small increases for highway and transit funding. Highway funding would increase by about $200 million from $41.1 billion in FY10 to $41.3 billion in FY11. The funding includes $200 million for a competitive Livable Communities grant program. Transit funding would increase by about $70 million, from $10.73 billion in FY10 to $10.8 billion in FY11.
• Proposes $20 million to establish an Office of Livable Communities in the Office of the Secretary. The office would coordinate multimodal and interagency (HUD and EPA) livability efforts and lead DOT’s investment decisions that focus on livable communities.
• Proposes $1.14 billion, more than a 30 percent increase from 2010, for the Next Generation Air Transportation System, the Federal Aviation Administration’s long-term effort to improve safety, efficiency and capacity of the aviation system.

Environment

Environmental Protection Agency
The President proposed a budget of $10 billion for the Environmental Protection Agency, a three percent cut from FY 2010 enacted levels. The proposal trims the agency’s operating budget, water infrastructure loan programs and Superfund programs.

• Proposes $1.3 billion for the Superfund program to clean up contaminated sites.
• Proposes $215 million for the Brownfields program to clean up abandoned commercial and industrial sites.
• Proposes $27 million for the Healthy Communities initiative to address community water priorities, promote clean, green and healthy schools; improve air toxics monitoring in at risk communities and encourage sustainability by helping to ensure that policies and spending at the national level do not adversely affect the environment and public health or disproportionally harm disadvantaged communities.
• Proposes $43 million for efforts to address climate change and work toward a clean energy future, including implementing the greenhouse gas reporting rule; provide technical assistance to ensure that any permitting under the Clean Air Act will be manageable; perform regulatory work for the largest stationary sources of Greenhouse Gas (GHG) emissions; develop standards for mobile sources such as cars and trucks and continue research of carbon capture and sequestration technologies.
• Proposes $3.3 billion for water and wastewater infrastructure programs, down from $3.5 billion in FY 2010.
• Proposes $1.3 billion or a 14 percent increase in State Tribal Assistance Grants for clean air and water grants to states and tribes.

U.S. Army Corps of Engineers
The President’s budget proposal recommends a 10 percent cut to the Army Corps of Engineers’ budget for FY 2011. The Army Corps would receive $4.9 billion, down $5.4 billion from FY 2010.

• Proposes $2.4 billion for operating and maintaining existing projects.
• Proposes $15 million to expand a national database of federal levees.
• Proposes $10 million for a program to assess the effects of climate change on civil works projects.
• Proposes $1.7 billion for the construction budget.
• Proposes $30 million in funding for flood control and coastal emergencies.
• Proposes $193 million for agency regulatory program.

Homeland Security

The proposed budget includes $56.34 billion for the US Department of Homeland Security and its programs, which is a $1.13 billion or 2.68 percent increase.

• Proposes $2.36 billion for the National Protection and Programs Directorate, an increase of $402.7 million. The National Protection and Programs Directorate leads the protection and risk reduction for the Nation’s physical and virtual critical infrastructure and key resources from man-caused disasters, natural disasters and other catastrophic incidents.
• Proposes $10.5 billion, an increase of $48.7 million, for the Federal Emergency Management Agency.
• Proposes $1.95 billion for the Disaster Relief Fund, an increase of $0.35 billion. The Disaster Relief Fund provides a portion of the total federal response to victims in declared major disasters and emergencies.
• Proposes $4 billion for State and Local Programs, an increase of $985.3 million compared to FY 2010. These grants provide training, exercises and technical assistance to improve emergency planning, response and recovery efforts. Specific state and local grant programs received the following allocations:
o State Homeland Security Grants – $1.05 billion, an increase of $100 million.
o Regional Catastrophic Planning Grants – $35 million, an increase of $1 million.
o Emergency Management Performance Grants - $345 million, an increase of $5 million.
o Urban Area Security Initiative – $1.1 billion, an increase of $248 million.
o Transportation and Infrastructure Protection Grants – $600 million, an increase of $12 million.
o Citizen Corps, Interoperable Emergency Communications and Emergency Operations Centers did not receive and funding for FY 2011.

• Proposes $100 million for Pre-Disaster Mitigation Grants, a decrease of $135 million. Pre-Disaster Mitigation Grants provide program support and technical assistance to state, local and tribal governments to reduce the risks associated with disasters, support the national grant competition, and provide the required $500,000 per state allocation. Funds will support the development and enhancement of hazard mitigation plans and the implementation of pre-disaster mitigation projects.
• Proposes $169 million for the National Flood Insurance Fund, an increase of $23 million. The National Flood Insurance Fund provides necessary resources to operate the National Flood Insurance Program.
• Proposes $194 million for Flood Map Modernization, a decrease of $26 million. Flood Map Modernization funding will support the review and update of flood hazard data and maps to accurately reflect flood hazards and monitor the validity of published flood hazard information. This funding will support the review and update of flood hazard data and maps.

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The US House of Representatives December 16 narrowly approved a $154 billion jobs bill that includes $48.3 billion in federal funding for infrastructure. The Jobs for Main Street Act of 2010 (HR 2847), passed by a vote of 217-212, also includes $26.7 billion to preserve state and local public service jobs and $79 billion for unemployment insurance, small business loans, health care assistance and other aid. The legislation uses $75 billion in Troubled Asset Relief Program (TARP) savings to pay for the infrastructure and job preservation investments. The Senate will consider jobs legislation in January.

The House jobs bill also extends the expired surface transportation law, SAFETEA-LU, until September 30, 2010. The extension provides a 100 percent federal share for transportation programs, repeals the prohibition on the Highway Trust Fund from collecting interest on its balance and restores $20 billion to Trust Fund. SAFETEA-LU expired September 30, 2009 and is currently funded through December 18 by a temporary extension.

Separate legislation approved by the House yesterday, the Defense Appropriations bill, extends SAFETEA-LU through February 28, 2010. The Senate is expected to consider the bill December 19th.

Following is a breakdown of infrastructure funding included in the House jobs bill.

$27.5 billion      Highways
$8.4 billion        Transit
$800 million     Amtrak
$500 million     Airports
$100 million     Shipyard modernization
$2 billion           Clean Water
$100 million     Bureau of Reclamation
$715 million     Corps of Engineers
$2 billion           Energy Innovation Loans
$4.1 billion       School Renovation
$1 billion           Housing Trust Fund
$1 billion           Public Housing Capital Fund

A summary and text of the legislation are posted at http://www.apwa.net/Advocacy/legislation.asp under Appropriations.

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The US Department of Transportation today released December 16 a comprehensive update to the Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices (MUTCD). The MUTCD’s 2009 edition features many new and updated requirements, ranging from changes in highway signs and bike lanes to the color of high-visibility garments worn by road workers. For an overview of the new rules and recommendations, visit http://mutcd.fhwa.dot.gov.

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The US Department of Transportation released December 16 a comprehensive update to the Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices (MUTCD). The MUTCD’s 2009 edition features many new and updated requirements, ranging from changes in highway signs and bike lanes to the color of high-visibility garments worn by road workers. For an overview of the new rules and recommendations, visit http://mutcd.fhwa.dot.gov.

The MUTCD is the national standard for all traffic control devices, including traffic signs, pavement markings, signals and any other devices used to regulate, warn or guide traffic. It has been administered by the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) since 1971. This is the first comprehensive update to the manual since 2003.

Among new provisions in the MUTCD:

• Replacing highway signs with brighter, larger and more legible ones that are easier to understand at freeway speeds. States will begin using the newer signs as existing ones wear out.

• Adding different lane markings for lanes that do not continue beyond an intersection or interchange to give drivers more warning that they need to move out of the lane if they don’t intend to turn.

• Expanding the use of flashing yellow arrow signals at some intersections to give a clearer indication that drivers can turn left after yielding to any opposing traffic.

• Changing the formula used to calculate crosswalk times to give walkers more time.

• Identifying electronic toll collection lanes with purple signs – the first time purple has been sanctioned for use on highway signs.

• Adding overhead lane-use control signs to reduce confusion among drivers in unfamiliar multi-lane roadways.

By requiring better pavement markings which can increase bike lane safety, and extending walk times for pedestrians at crosswalks, the updated MUTCD furthers the “complete streets” concept – an effort long championed by FHWA to ensure roads accommodate all types of travel, not just automobiles.

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URGENT LEGISLATIVE ALERT
Contact your Congressional Representatives today and urge them to ensure that jobs-creation legislation provides robust, direct investment for local infrastructure.

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REASON
Congressional leaders are drafting multi-billion dollar legislation aimed at creating jobs. Members of Congress need to hear from APWA members that a jobs bill must provide significant, direct investment in local infrastructure as a way to create and sustain jobs and local economies. Investment in public infrastructure projects has a proven success rate for boosting the economy and spurring job creation. Every $1 billion invested in transportation for example, generates tens of thousands of good paying jobs. A jobs-creation package that includes a robust infrastructure investment component will produce timely and effective results. It will also repair and improve our deteriorating infrastructure and thereby improve safety, efficiency and maintain our economic competitiveness.

HOW TO SEND YOUR MESSAGE
APWA’s Legislative Action Center is a simple, effective way to deliver your message to your member of Congress by the click of the mouse. A draft letter titled “Urge Robust Infrastructure Investment in Jobs-Creation Legislation” has been posted http://capwiz.com/apwa/home/.We encourage you to personalize your letter; Congress receives an overwhelming volume of communication. Personalizing your letter will mean your message will be read.

BACKGROUND
With the national unemployment rate at its highest in a generation, Congressional leaders and President Obama have made passage of a jobs bill a priority. Leaders in both the House and Senate are currently drafting proposals expected to include investments in infrastructure, tax incentives and other forms of aid. Although legislation has not yet been introduced, action could be taken by the House before Congress breaks for the holidays in a couple weeks.

If you have questions or need assistance, contact Maggie Oldham at moldham@apwa.net

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House and Senate Leaders are developing a jobs creation bill aimed at reducing the nation’s 10 percent unemployment rate. Congressional leaders are looking closely at infrastructure investment, a highways funding bill and another extension of unemployment insurance as part of broad package of spending and investment to boost job creation.

Rep. James L. Oberstar (D-MN), Chairman of the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, pitched Democratic leadership on the idea of using $100 billion in general fund money to pay for highway and transit projects over the next two years. The plan would quickly infuse funds into Public Works projects to stimulate the economy and would give Congress time to debate revenue changes that are needed to pay for a six-year Surface Transportation Authorization bill, currently stalled in the House and Senate.

Meanwhile, the Administration held a Jobs Summit on December 3. The forum was an opportunity for the president and his economic team to hear from chief executive officers, small business owners, labor leaders and financial experts about ideas for growing the economy and putting Americans back to work.

A timeline for the jobs creation package is still unclear, although Congressional leaders say they intend to have a complete package considered in January. The House may consider some elements before the end of the year. The overall size of the package and how it will be financed has yet to be determined.

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This November, Election Day saw only 26 statewide ballot measures from six states: Maine, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Texas and Washington, in comparison to the 2008 Election, which had 153 ballot measures from 35 states. Even though there are typically fewer ballot initiatives in odd-numbered election years, 2009 marks the fewest statewide measures in nearly two decades.

Following in the footsteps of the statewide measures, local ballots also had significantly fewer initiatives, where only 29 states had some sort of local ballot measure. Highlighted below is a selection of several infrastructure-related state and local measures, and how they fared in this year’s election.

San Luis Obispo, CA
Paso Robles Water Use Fees Referendum: Voters defeated Measure A, which would have increased monthly water user rates effective January 1, 2010 (from $1.32 to $1.75 per unit of water used). The increased water rates were intended to pay for the city’s share of the Nacimiento Water Project.

Colorado Springs, CO
Question 2C: Voters in El Paso County defeated a ballot measure that would have raised property taxes by roughly 16 percent. The increase would have helped fund transit service, which local leaders say they must now cut.

Fountain, CO
Question 2A: Voters narrowly approved a 0.75 percent increase in the local sales tax, which is projected to raise $1.352 million in the first year, to fund road and public transportation improvements.

Twin Falls County, ID
Kimberly City Water Bond Issue: Voters narrowly approved a water projects bond that will use federal stimulus money and state funds to pay for a variety of projects, including installing water meters at all residences and businesses, finishing a well at City Park and replacing aging water tanks and other infrastructure.

St. Joseph and Porter Counties, IN
Northern Indiana Regional Rail District Creation: An overwhelming majority of voters defeated a proposal that would have had the regional transportation district govern South Shore rail service in four counties and bus service in two counties. If passed, the residents of St. Joseph and Porter counties would have paid an additional 0.25 percent income tax to fund the transportation district.

Scott County, IA
Riverdale City Improvement Fund Tax Measure: Voters approved a tax measure that will create a Capital Improvement Reserve Fund for the city by enacting a $0.67 tax on property within the city. The money would be used towards street repair, new fire trucks and general capital improvements and maintenance.

Maine
Maine Transportation and Energy Bonds: Voters in the state of Maine approved $71,250,000 in bonds for transportation and energy programs and projects. The bonds will leverage federal and private-sector funds, and include $55 million for highway and bridge work, $4 million for rail, and $2 million for a new rail corridor program.

Flint, MI
Mass Transportation Authority Tax Increase: Voters in Flint passed a five-year, 0.6 mill increases to fund public transportation authority. A mill, used in property tax calculations, is a tax of one-thousandths of the value; a 0.6 mill increase would mean a $0.60 cent tax for each $1,000 in property value.

Kalamazoo, MI
Kalamazoo Transit Authority Levy Proposal: Three out of every four voters in Kalamazoo supported a Metro Transit tax. The $0.6 mill tax will find buses that run within the city limits.

Peculiar, MO
City of Peculiar, Sewer System Tax: Voters approved a tax that will add $0.20 cents to the current property taxes in order to better fund the city sewer system and maintenance.

Peculiar, MO
City of Peculiar, Vehicle Fuel Tax: Voters also approved a $0.01 cent tax to gasoline, including diesel fuels, in order to fund street repair, construction and maintenance on current city streets.

New Jersey
Jersey Open Space Bond Issue: Voters in the state of New Jersey approved a bond issue that allows the state to borrow $400 million to preserve open space, farmland, and historic areas. Originally the bill requested $600 million, but was reduced by a third in light of the state’s economic downturn.

New York
The New York Forest Preserve Power Line Proposal: New York state voters approved a measure that allows the construction of a 46-kilovolt power line along State Route 56. Passage of the proposal was the final step of a $30 million upgrade to the Tri-Lakes region’s electric distribution system.

Cincinnati, OH
Cincinnati Streetcar Referendum: Voters in Cincinnati defeated an amendment to the city charter that would have required that any kind of passenger rail service paid for by the city would have to first be approved by a city-wide vote. Such plans would have to be put on the ballot, and voters would be allowed to say whether they wanted the city to go ahead with the plan. This amendment, if passed, could have jeopardized a $185 million planned streetcar route.

Clackamas County, OR
Oak Lodge Sanitary District, General Obligation Bond: Voters overwhelmingly approved a measure authorizing the district to issue up to $44 million in general obligation bonds to finance upgrades of the wastewater treatment plant. The improvements, which are required by the federal Clean Water Act, will increase the average household bill by about $15 per month.

Texas
Proposition 1: Texas voters approved a state constitutional amendment that allows the Legislature to authorize cities and counties to sell bonds or notes to finance the acquisition of buffer areas or open spaces adjacent to military bases. The bonds will also facilitate the construction of roadways, utilities and other infrastructure to protect or promote the mission of the military installation.

Williamson County, TX
Hutto City Bond Proposition 1: Voters approved an $8,500,000 bond that will help pay for street improvements and transportation projects.

Kitsap County, WA
Bremerton Transportation Benefit District Annual Vehicle Fee Proposition: Voters defeated a measure that would have established a $30 fee on vehicles that would then be collected within the district and used to improve transportation in the area.

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Congress cleared legislation October 29 extending SAFETEA-LU for seven weeks until December 18, when Congress is expected to recess until after the New Year. The current one-month extension, approved at the end of September, expires October 31. The President is expected to sign the bill.

Efforts in the Senate to approve a six-month extension stalled earlier this week over procedural objections. The House of Representatives approved a three month extension in September. The Senate will attempt to obtain floor time the week of November 2 to consider again a stand-alone six-month extension. The Administration, however, supports a delay of 18 months to allow more time to develop comprehensive authorization legislation.

There is no major authorization proposal currently in the Senate. A $500 billion, six-year draft proposal has been presented in the House, but is held up due to lack of provisions on how to pay for its funding levels. Drafting those provisions is in the jurisdiction of the House Ways and Means Committee, which is yet to reach consensus on revenue mechanisms.

The latest extension was included as part of a Continuing Resolution needed to maintain funding for those federal programs without an approved FY2010 Appropriations. Congress has completed four of the 12 appropriations bills.

SAFETEA-LU expired September 30. APWA is urging Congress and the Administration to take action to pass a multi-year surface transportation authorization that significantly increases investment for state and local programs.

For more information about APWA’s priorities for surface transportation authorization, visit http://reinvestintransportation.apwa.net.

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***** Action Requested: Contact your Congressional Representatives today and urge them to act immediately to repeal an $8.7 billion rescission in highway contract authority which is scheduled to take effect on September 30, 2009.

REASON
An $8.7 billion rescission will result in substantial program cuts that will have a devastating impact on state and local transportation programs. The loss of these funds will undermine the progress state and local governments have achieved creating jobs and repairing our nation’s deteriorating transportation system.

HOW TO SEND YOUR MESSAGE
APWA Legislative Action Center is a simple, effective way to deliver your message to your member of Congress by the click of the mouse. A draft letter titled “Urge Congress to Repeal $8.7 Billion Rescission of Highway Funding” has been posted at http://capwiz.com/apwa/home/. We encourage you to personalize your message; Congress receives an overwhelming volume of communication. Personalizing your message will mean it will be read.

BACKGROUND
Section 10212 of SAFETEA-LU, the federal surface transportation law, includes a provision requiring states to return $8.7 billion in unobligated federal highway funds on September 30 unless Congress takes action to repeal it. The provision was added for budgetary purposes in 2005. If it is not repealed, state and local governments will see cuts to their transportation programs at a time of unprecedented budget constraints. Both the Senate and the House need to know the impact.

If you have questions or need assistance, contact Maggie Oldham at moldham@apwa.net.

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