Senate Panel Approves 4% Hike for Highways in 2005
A Senate appropriations subcommittee has approved a fiscal 2005 spending bill that would boost the federal highway obligation ceiling by almost $1.3 billion, or 4%, to a record $34.9 billion. Transportation-on and treasury subcommittee Chairman Richard Shelby (R-Ala.) noted that the level represents a "historically high" figure. The panel cleared the legislation on Sept. 9 without objection.
If the total is approved by the full Appropriations Committee and by the Senate, it would have to be reconciled with the amount the House recommended, $34.6 billion. It thus is virtually certain that highway design and construction firms will see increased funding for fiscal 2005. The 2004 obligation limit is $33.6 billion.