Capitol Hill action on an economic stimulus bill has shifted to the Senate, which has begun to debate a package estimated at $888 billion. At least several days of discussion and amendments are expected. It appears that the Senate package's estimated $160 billion in construction-related spending is safe and that Democrats may seek to add more money for such infrastructure accounts as highways and Corps of Engineers water projects. Photo: AP Sen. Barbara Boxer favors increasing highway component of stimulus. Senate Environment and Public Works Committee leaders have stated that they favor tripling the $27-billion highway allocation that the proposal
The best word to describe the mood at the National Association of Home Builders’ International Builders Show and the current homebuilding market is “grim.” About 60,000 people attended the show in Las Vegas on Jan. 20-23, 40% fewer than attended the show last year. Exhibitors said they were not surprised at the attendance, given the state of the economy and market. Kohler, the plumbing and fixture giant, said foot traffic was off by at least 20%. “There have been more questions about how we are doing as a company than questions about our new products,” said one Kohler rep. Photo:
Along-awaited economic stimulus bill continues to advance on Capitol Hill as Democrats push to meet their goal of having a final measure on President Barack Obama’s desk by about Feb. 16. But Senate Republicans continue to criticize the packages as being too big and contend that not enough of the money will turn into programs or projects that create jobs in the next year to two years. Still, the GOP may not have the votes to derail the packages. Photo: AP/Wideworld Sen. Thad Cochran (seated) confers with Senate colleague last year. Todd Hauptli, American Association of Airport Executives’ senior executive
The formal negotiations on the $825-billion economic stimulus start now. Two Senate committees on Jan. 27 are scheduled to begin discussing, and probably amending, portions of their versions of the package. The Senate Appropriations Committee is to take up a $365-billion discretionary-spending section, drafted by the panel's new Chairman, Daniel Inouye (Hawaii). The Finance Committee will take up a proposed $275 billion in tax cuts and about $180 billion in funding, including aid to states, the unemployed and those on food stamps. Both committees are slated to begin their "markup" sessions at 10:30 a.m. At $825 billion, the Senate committees'
The Stimulus Bill, Sector by Sector 01/21/2009 Compiled by Tom Ichniowski Construction-related spending in House Democrats' stimulus proposal, released Jan.15, could approach $160 billion. But a precise figure is hard to determine because some of the accounts that would receive funding under the plan can go for other types of capital spending besides infrastructure or buildings. A look at the House Appropriations Committee's explanatory report on the bill shows substantial funding for a wide range of construction programs across many federal departments and agencies. Stimulus aid for buildings is especially widespread among agencies. TRANSPORTATION [$43.75 billion] DOT Federal-aid highways, $30 billion
Rail, marine and airport officials are pragmatically waiting for the final version of a stimulus bill. Everyone would like more stimulus project funds, but they would also like policy and programming changes. Such changes could be reflected in attempts to reauthorize the six-year transportation trust fund and the airport improvement program later this year. At a Transportation Research Board session held earlier this month in Washington, D.C., Maryland State Highway Administrator Neil Pedersen said many officials were calling the stimulus request process a “dress rehearsal” for reauthorization. Related Links: Proposal in House Fires Up Debate Does Massive Spending Help or
President Obama’s promised economic stimulus package could not come at a better time for the cash-strapped state of California, though a bailout of a massive projected budget deficit appears unlikely. With a Feb. 1 deadline that state controller John Chiang says would pretty much dry up the state’s cash flow, the budget deficit—estimated at $42 billion through June 2010—will mean more important infrastructure construction projects are likely to be halted or even cancelled. Related Links: Proposal in House Fires Up Debate Does Massive Spending Help or Hurt in Long Run? Modest Program Favors Jump-Start Fix-up Effort Highway Aid Has Some
Even with Congress’ proposed economic stimulus package, which could drive tens of billions of dollars to construction equipment sales and extend tax benefits, financial help provided by the government will come too late to boost this year’s economy, industry observers say. For that reason, capital-goods suppliers are already prepared to write off 2009 as a dismal year and are looking ahead to 2010. Photo: Joe Florkowski / ENR Turnout at annual equipment dealers’ show was down 20% to 25% over last year. Related Links: Proposal in House Fires Up Debate Does Massive Spending Help or Hurt in Long Run? Modest
Industry groups are offering modest praise for the funds allocated for water infrastructure in the $825-billion economic stimulus package, saying the funding levels are a good start. “It’s a huge increase over what’s been appropriated in the past,” says Karen Lapsovic, director of tax, fiscal affairs and infrastructure finance at the Associated General Contractors. But the same industry groups are quick to point out that much more is needed to even to begin to fix the nation’s ailing water infrastructure. Related Links: Proposal in House Fires Up Debate Does Massive Spending Help or Hurt in Long Run? Modest Program Favors
Driven by a need for speedy delivery and an overarching demand for energy-efficient systems, federal buildings appear ready for a significant facelift in the near future, if proposed stimulus funds come through. Photo courtesy of Sunpower Corp. Energized. Projects like adding photovoltaics to Dept. of Energy headquarters are likely winners. Related Links: Proposal in House Fires Up Debate Does Massive Spending Help or Hurt in Long Run? Modest Program Favors Jump-Start Fix-up Effort Highway Aid Has Some Strings Attached Advocates Hope To Fly, Sail or Roll To Reform Funds Will Energize Long-Delayed Projects A Big Drop, But It’s A Really
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