my point of view…

The Fight for Funding

Time is money. It’s a saying we are all familiar with. In an economy where everyone is trying to maximize productivity — whether in the plant or in the office — finding time to complete tasks that are not at the top of the “to do” list can be difficult. At moments like this, it’s easy to say “someone else will do it” or “it’s not my battle.”
As we get closer to finalizing FY2003 budgets, however, expecting someone else to represent your interests could be a costly mistake. Although it may seem that decisions on infrastructure spending will be made by power brokers, you shouldn’t underestimate your own power as a constituent, a voter, and possibly as a contributor.
Political activism is especially important this fall as we set the pace for transportation spending for years to come. The funding levels established in the FY ’03 budgets will serve as the baseline for all discussions on transportation reauthorization legislation and — judging by the preliminary funding levels proposed for FY ’03 — we have an uphill battle on our hands.
In February, President Bush proposed cutting highway spending $8.6 billion to $23.3 billion in FY ’03. The House has proposed restoring $4.4 billion of the Revenue Aligned Budget Authority (RABA) reduction. In late July, the Senate Appropriations Committee approved a draft appropriations bill of $31.8 billion — essentially the same amount as FY ’02. That measure must still go before the full Senate, but it demonstrates movement in a positive direction. It would give us a much better starting point for TEA-03 discussions concerning more appropriate funding levels of $50-60 billion/year.
Organizations such as the American Road and Transportation Builders Association (ARTBA) have recommended an annual increase of 2¢/gal in the federal motor fuels excise. They say that increase, along with more efficient cash management of the federal highway user fees, could double federal investments in highway and mass transit capital improvements by 2009.
“Two cents makes sense,” said Pete Ruane, ARTBA’s president and chief executive officer, as he testified before the House Highways and Transit Subcommittee last month. “The reality is without a new or expanded revenue stream, the purchasing power of the federal highway program will be less in 2009 than it is this year. It boils down to a question of political will and doing things more efficiently.”
Influencing that political will is where your efforts can make a difference. The Transportation Construction Coalition (TCC) has organized a fly-in for Sept. 23 and 24. The last fly-in was held in February and heavily influenced Congress to propose the RABA restoration initiatives currently on the table. For more information or to sign up, contact the National Stone, Sand and Gravel Association at (703) 525-8788.
Remember: time is money. Invest yours well.

August 2002 my point of view... The Fight for Funding				my point of view… The Fight for Funding Time is money. It’s a saying we are all familiar with. In an economy where everyone is trying to maximize productivity — whether in the plant or in the office — finding time to complete tasks that are not at the top of the “to do” list can be difficult. At moments like this, it’s easy to say “someone else will do it” or “it’s not my battle.” As we get closer to finalizing FY2003 budgets, however, expecting someone else to represent your interests could be a costly mistake. Although it may seem that decisions on infrastructure spending will be made by power brokers, you shouldn’t underestimate your own power as a constituent, a voter, and possibly as a contributor. Political activism is especially important this fall as we set the pace for transportation spending for years to come. The funding levels established in the FY ’03 budgets will serve as the baseline for all discussions on transportation reauthorization legislation and — judging by the preliminary funding levels proposed for FY ’03 — we have an uphill battle on our hands. In February, President Bush proposed cutting highway spending $8.6 billion to $23.3 billion in FY ’03. The House has proposed restoring $4.4 billion of the Revenue Aligned Budget Authority (RABA) reduction. In late July, the Senate Appropriations Committee approved a draft appropriations bill of $31.8 billion — essentially the same amount as FY ’02. That measure must still go before the full Senate, but it demonstrates movement in a positive direction. It would give us a much better starting point for TEA-03 discussions concerning more appropriate funding levels of $50-60 billion/year. Organizations such as the American Road and Transportation Builders Association (ARTBA) have recommended an annual increase of 2¢/gal in the federal motor fuels excise. They say that increase, along with more efficient cash management of the federal highway user fees, could double federal investments in highway and mass transit capital improvements by 2009. “Two cents makes sense,” said Pete Ruane, ARTBA’s president and chief executive officer, as he testified before the House Highways and Transit Subcommittee last month. “The reality is without a new or expanded revenue stream, the purchasing power of the federal highway program will be less in 2009 than it is this year. It boils down to a question of political will and doing things more efficiently.” Influencing that political will is where your efforts can make a difference. The Transportation Construction Coalition (TCC) has organized a fly-in for Sept. 23 and 24. The last fly-in was held in February and heavily influenced Congress to propose the RABA restoration initiatives currently on the table. For more information or to sign up, contact the National Stone, Sand and Gravel Association at (703) 525-8788. Remember: time is money. Invest yours well.