DOT's Foxx Calls For Long-Term Transportation Bill
He called on the estimated 300 attendees at the conference to tell Congress that “a one- or two-year Band-Aid won’t cut it this time.”
Lawmakers and construction, transportation and organized-labor groups have proposed a variety of ways to increase funding for highways and transit, including hiking the federal gasoline tax, launching a federal infrastructure bank and expanding public-private ventures.
Foxx noted that President Obama, in his Jan. 28 State of the Union address, recommended taking some revenue gained from overhauling the corporate tax system and putting it into infrastructure.
Janet Kavinoky, the U.S. Chamber's executive director of transportation and infrastructure, said in a statement: "The U.S. Chamber advocates for...sound federal investment in infrastructure and reiterated our commitment to this, as well as increased private investment, during our summit...." She added, "Failing to act will hurt the economy and America's global competitiveness."
Beyond financing, Foxx’s transportation outline had another component. “As part of our case for more investment to tackle our infrastructure deficit, we also need to double down on reducing costs, just like any business would,” he told the attendees.
“We need to go further than just technical corrections to MAP-21,” He continued. “We need a bill that reshapes the transportation landscape for the 21st Century, building on MAP-21 but going further.”
In particular, Foxx wants to see various federal agencies that review transportation projects “harmonize” their permitting and also provide incentives to state agencies to do likewise. He added, “And I believe we can do so without jeopardizing the environment or project integrity and in the process, we will save valuable time and money.”
Speaking to reporters after his speech, Foxx was asked whether DOT would be producing a detailed legislative proposal for surface transportation. He said, “We are having internal discussions and nothing’s final yet. But we’re working.”
Story updated on Feb. 21 with U.S. Chamber of Commerce comment
