In The News

Highways shortchanged in Senate jobs bill

The American Highway Users Alliance says that highways, the one infrastructure that benefits all states, will get the short end of the stick if the Senate jobs bill is to pass.

The Alliance says funding cuts will occur for highways as funding is increased for high-speed rail.

President Obama announced that $8 billion from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act will go towards high-speed rail projects in Florida, Illinois, California and a few other states.

As Obama calls for more short-term and long-term job growth, the current Senate version of a jobs bill leaves new highway and bridge construction without a lot of funding, according to the Highway Users Alliance.

“But highway funding, the one infrastructure program that overwhelmingly benefits all states and every Congressional district, was cut disproportionately with funding sliced nearly in half,” Alliance leadership stated in a call to action to its membership.

“Incredibly, rail funding was increased nearly four times with new high-speed rail eligible for more funds,” Alliance leadership stated.

OOIDA sides with the Alliance on this issue and has a seat on the Alliance’s board.

Fortunately, the leadership of the Alliance stated, the current outline for the Senate jobs bill has not been finalized. Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, D-NV, said details will be announced next week and will include short-term and long-term job creation.

The Highway Users Alliance is urging its members to call Senate leaders and influence the bill.

The House of Representatives has already passed a version of the jobs bill, HR 2847.

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