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ARTBA Weighs In on Freight Plan at U.S. DOT Meeting
House Passes Spending Bill Snubbing MAP-21
ARTBA, along with other industry stakeholders, participated in a March 5 U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) meeting to help develop a National Freight Strategic Plan as required by MAP-21. ARTBA has long advocated for a national freight plan and the association’s 2007 SAFETEALU Reauthorization Task Force proposed developing a comprehensive plan, the “Critical Commerce Corridors” Continued on page 4
ARTBA Young Exec. Deadline This Friday The application deadline for the ARTBA Foundation’s Young Executive Development Program (YEDP) is March 15. Now in its 18th year, the YEDP aims to shape the next generation of industry leaders by introducing young executives to the federal legislative and regulatory processes and their impact on the transportation design and construction industry. Some of the highlights of this year’s program include: Continued on page 3 Follow ARTBA:
The U.S. House of Representatives March 6 voted 267-151 to approve a Continuing Resolution (CR) that would fund federal programs for the remainder of Fiscal Year 2013 at the same overall levels as the past six months. Unfortunately, the House proposal does not include the highway and public transportation investment increases authorized eight months ago in MAP-21, which
were intended to allow the programs to simply keep pace with inflation for FY 2013. In fact, the CR actually imposes a .098 percent cut across the board on all non-defense discretionary programs, including the transportation programs. Coupling the rejected MAP21 investment levels and the discretionary cut would result in a $39.105 billion highway
program for FY 2013, down approximately $38 million from the $39.144 billion obligated in FY 2012 and $600 million below the authorized levels. The transit capital programs would be funded at $1.855 billion for FY 2013 reduced from $1.955 billion in FY 2012. The Airport Improvement Program would receive a $3 million cut from the FY 2012 level of $3.350 billion Continued on page 2
Nominate your firm’s “rising stars” for the 2013 ARTBA Young Executive Development Program ARTBA Washington Newsline
Spending Bill Snubs MAP-21 Continued from page 1
to $3.347 billion. The Senate will now consider the CR. Senate Environment and Public Works Chairman Barbara Boxer (D-Calif.), Commerce Committee Chairman Jay Rockefeller (D-W.Va.), and Banking Committee Chairman Tim Johnson (D-S.D.) wrote March 5 to House Speaker Boehner urging him to honor the agreement reached between the House and Senate in July. The Senate has not yet released its version of the FY 2013 funding measure, but members of both parties have indicated they would support increased investment. As always, the situation is very fluid and we will update you as information is available.
Check out this one-minute video to see what is in store for the milestone 25th anniversary ARTBA P3 Conference.
Upcoming Events
2013
Visit our Events Page for more information. Federal Issues Program & TCC Fly-In June 3-5 Washington, D.C. [Add to Calendar]
Young Executive Development Program June 3-6 Washington, D.C. [Add to Calendar]
25th Annual ARTBA P3 Conference July 24-26 Washington, D.C. [Add to Calendar]
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ART BA Washington Newsline
ARTBA National Convention September 8-10 Milwaukee, Wis. [Add to Calendar]
5th Annual Transportation Construction Law & Regulatory Forum June 5 Washington, D.C.
Dr. J. Don Brock TransOvationTM Workshop & Awards Program
Regional Meetings
Local Transportation Management Virtual Conference & Innovation Showcase (LoTransTM 2013)
Late November-Early December
October 28-30 San Jose, Calif.
November 19-20
Western: December, Austin, Texas Central: December, St. Louis, Mo. Southern: December, Charlotte, N.C. Northeastern: December, Baltimore, Md.
YEDP Applications Due Friday Continued from page 1
a private tour of the Turner Fairbank’s Highway Research Facility; dinner with a U.S. congressman to learn their perspective on transportation issues; special ARTBA Foundation Gala Awards dinner; “how to lobby Congress” session taught by ARTBA’s government affairs team; a Capitol Hill reception, and a roundtable discussion with the association’s past chairmen. The YEDP, held June 3 - 6 in conjunction with ARTBA’s Annual Federal Issues Program (FIP) and Transportation Construction Coalition (TCC) Fly-In, allows participants to join these informative sessions and visit Capitol Hill to meet with their congressional leaders and staff.
More than 430 young executives from nearly 200 companies, public agencies and state contractor organizations in 40 states and Washington, D.C. have completed the program, including 2013 ARTBA Chairman, Steve Wright, Wright Brothers Construction Inc.
Admission is competitive. View the application or contact ARTBA’s Sara Jones for more information.
ARTBA Welcomes New Members Last Week
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ARTBA Washington Newsline
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Overheard “The light sculpture, which will be on every night for two years, has become a darling of moneyed Silicon Valley types. The project is privately financed and is estimated to cost some $8 million. Already restaurants with bridge views are booked and boat cruise operators are creating new tours for viewing the glowing infrastructure. Organizers estimate the lights will bring in $97 million to the local economy. The unlikely star of all this fawning attention is the unassuming Bay Bridge.” March 5 “New York Times” story, “Long-Overshadowed Bay Bridge Will Go From Drab Gray to Glowing,” detailing how a new public art installation (“The Bay Lights”) will illuminate the Oakland Bridge’s 1.8-mile western span with 25,000 undulating white lights. “America’s power grid is like an old car. It gets the job done, even if its performance is slipping. But the repair bills go up every year and experts say only a major overhaul will reverse its decline. An Associated Press analysis of utility spending and reliability nationwide found that electric customers are spending 43 percent more than they did in 2002 to build and maintain local electric infrastructure. Since then, power outages have remained infrequent; but when the lights do go out, it now takes longer to get them back on.” March 5, “AP” story, “U.S. Power Grid Costs Rise, But Service Slips.” ARTBA Editorial Note: The same could be said about the U.S. National Highway System. 4
ART BA Washington Newsline
ARTBA News National Freight Plan Continued from page 1
program, to increase goods movement efficiency. At the meeting, senior DOT officials, including U.S. Secretary of Transportation Ray LaHood, spoke about active freight initiatives, current freight conditions, and the need for performance measures. DOT is also forming a National Freight Advisory Committee comprised of 25 industry stakeholders to provide recommendations to the Freight Policy Council comprised of DOT leadership across all modes.
Legislative & Regulatory News Budget Chairman References Tax Reform for Transportation Investment Senate Budget Committee Chairman Patty Murray (D-Wash.) opened a tax reform hearing March 5 hinting Congress should close some tax loopholes and use the ensuing revenues for strategic investment in certain programs, including transportation infrastructure. Referring to the broader discussions surrounding the nation’s longterm debt, Murray said, “[J] ust as we have got to bring down our deficits and debt, we’ve got to make sure we’re educating our workforce for the 21st century. We need to repair our roads, bridges and airways so that businesses can move their people and products
efficiently.” ARTBA has long viewed comprehensive tax reform as an opportunity to generate additional revenues for transportation and address the long-term stability of the Highway Trust Fund. Read ARTBA’s January 4 letter to President Obama.
President Nominates McCarthy to Head EPA President Obama nominated Gina McCarthy March 4 to be the next administrator of the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). McCarthy, who currently serves as the head of EPA’s Office of Air and Radiation (OAR), has also held top environmental posts in at the state-level under Republican administrations in Massachusetts and Connecticut. While heading OAR, McCarthy was charged with administering multiple provisions under the federal Clean Air Act impacting the transportation construction community— including standards for soot and ozone as well as transportation conformity regulations that, if not met, can result in federal highway funds being withheld
from counties. McCarthy’s nomination is expected to draw criticism from Republicans over various EPA regulatory actions. ARTBA will continue to monitor McCarthy’s nomination for discussion of issues impacting transportation development.
Inspector General Report Addresses U.S. DOT Reforms U.S. DOT Inspector General (IG) Calvin Scovell March 5 told members of the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee the department has “worked diligently to implement the majority of our recommendations” and provided a progress report on current reform efforts. Specifically, the report continues the IG’s calls to develop data-driven, risk-based oversight of states’ bridge programs to help prioritize repair and maintenance of the nation’s structurally deficient bridges. The report also identifies ongoing challenges with the Department’s implementation of the NextGen air traffic control system and a national
Multimodal News
Fostering Innovation
A service of ARTBA’s multimodal councils, it features current transportation developments making news across all modes and regions. Contact Sara Jones to become a subscriber or visit www.artbamultimodal.org.
Highlighting new research, technologies, industry best practices and information resources available to the transportation design and construction industry.
TRB Newsletter: March 5
2013 Award Deadlines
2012 1 st Place Globe Award WInner: Wright Brothers Construction Company
2012 1 Place PRIDE Award Winner: APAC Missouri st
PRIDE Awards: Honoring excellence in community relations & public education that enhance the image of the U.S. transportation construction industry. Deadline: March 29
high-speed rail network. Scovell renewed his recommendation for a master schedule and detailed financial plan for Next-Gen implementation and that the Federal Railroad Administration finish its work on a National Rail Plan (scheduled for June 2014) to avoid potential investment in grants that do not serve national policy goals. Read the full report.
Construction Employment Up Overall construction employment increased in February 2013, adding 140,000 jobs over February 2012 and 48,000 jobs over January 2013. Nearly all of the job growth occurred in specialty trade contracting. The construction sector’s unemployment rate was 15.7 percent in February. The national unemployment rate fell
Globe Awards: Honoring U.S. transportation construction industry excellence in environmental protection & mitigation Deadline: April 12
to 7.7 percent, according to the Labor Department’s monthly jobs report, and 236,000 jobs— many more than expected—were added to public and private payrolls last month. Meanwhile, employment in the highway and bridge specific sectors continued to decline, falling by 2.2 percent in January 2013 compared to the same time last year.
Hall of Fame Class: From left to right: 2011 ARTBA Chairman Bill Cox with 2011 Hall inductees Jim Lammie, Denney Pate, and John Wight on behalf of Enoch Needles
Hall of Fame: Honors individuals or families from the public and private sectors who have made extraodinary contributions to the U.S. transportation development. Deadline: April 12
5th Annual ARTBA Transportation Construction Law & Regulatory Forum
Wednesday, June 5th Hyatt Regency Washington on Capitol Hill Taking place immediately following the ARTBA Federal Issues Program, this annual event offers participants the opportunity to learn more about the latest trends in transportation construction law and regulatory requirements, including sessions on the latest environmental issues, DBE compliance, alternative dispute resolution and more. Professional development hours will be available. Discount registration is offered for ARTBA Committee Members. Sponsorships available now! For more information, contact Allison Klein at 202.289.4434.
Download a PDF copy of the digital “Washington Newsline.” ARTBA Washington Newsline
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Live 60 Min. Webinar 1st Quarter Transportation Construction Market Report & Legislative Update MARCH 21 1-2 p.m., Eastern PRICE: MEMBERS-$100 NON-MEMBERS-$125
Register Now! It’s now March, the budget cuts known as the sequester, are taking effect. And we are now facing a new congressionally-orchestrated budget crisis that requires Congress and the President to reach an agreement on funding federal operations for the remainder of FY 2013 or risk a government shutdown. It raises the question: What do these developments mean for the U.S. transportation design and construction market in the months ahead? Dr. Alison Premo Black, ARTBA’s chief economist and Dave Bauer, ARTBA’s top government affairs expert, will address this question during a live 60-minute March 21 webinar. Among the other topics they will cover: • Highway and bridge market conditions during the first quarter of 2013 and the outlook for the remainder of the year. • Trends in the airport runway, transit & rail, and ports & waterways markets. • An overview of which state markets are faring well… and which aren’t. • Status of new transportation investment proposals at the state level. • Legislative update on the Highway Trust Fund’s financial challenges, FY 2012 appropriations bill and the Water Resources Development Act (WRDA). This event is for ARTBA members, industry analysts and other construction industry executives. Participants will be able to ask questions and will receive a copy of the PowerPoint presentation. THE PRESENTERS: ARTBA’s Chief Economist Dr. Alison Premo Black earned her doctorate from The George Washington University. She routinely develops ARTBA’s economic products, reports and state studies, and has conducted numerous studies examining national and state transportation funding and investment patterns. 6
ART BA Washington Newsline
ARTBA Senior Vice President of Government Relations Dave Bauer joined the association in 1997 after spending seven years on Capitol Hill as a key staffer on the Senate Transportation Appropriations Subcommittee. He has extensive expertise on federal transportation capital investment issues and programmatic improvements, and leads ARTBA’s direct lobbying, grassroots initiatives, and policy development.