Trust fund may run out of funds as early as september 2014, which would create cash flow problem for states during the critical summer construction season. Due to the uncertainty leading up to that bleak scenario, states are already beginning to develop contingency plans to prepare for reductions in federal transportation funding, which includes cutting pending projects. This is terrible for businesses, workers, and our nation. According to georgias department of transportation, if federal funding is cut, we would not be able to fund any new projects. Officials from other states have made similar statements and the effects are very negative, to say the least. As states postpone putting Construction Contracts out to bid, businesses will be more reluctant to invest and that impact will be felt throughout the higher entire economy. Let me be clear, the pending shortfall must be addressed by an infusion of funds. Otherwise, cbo estimates of locations for new projects in 2015 would need to
Energy needs and friendlier towards their environment. So why are we doing this . We have got to make the tough decisions. The tough decision has to be made in conjunction with our colleagues on the Senate Finance committee and all the members. I happen to serve on both committees that we need to have the revenues necessary to support a longterm surface transportation reauthorization. We have to recognize the realities of the current revenue flow into the Transportation Trust fund is inadequate as its based on the gasoline tax in the we have been very effective at bringing down the volume in regards to the use of gasoline and or efficient engines alternative ways so we need to look at ways we can have an adequate source so i hope he would be open to things such as carbon fees or other ways to get the revenues necessary but i know transportation is a bipartisan issue and senator inhofe has been one of the great leaders moving forward on infrastructure. Senator vitter also strongly suppo
Captions Copyright National cable satellite corp. , 2014 ] hy trust fund is projected to become insolvent by the end of the summer. The effect would have severe impacts and my state of new york. New york has 628 federal aid highway projects for 2015 which requires approximately 2 billion for the funding. 40 of these projects are bridges that are in need of construction or repair. Without the new funding from the Highway Trust Fund to start these projects next year new york state would have to begin restricting the use of roads and bridges that are no longer safe or can no longer handle the capacity for which they were originally designed. This would result in detours, delays, problems getting things that need to be brought into our commerce. It means more time and money loss for businesses and families who are just struggling to make it in this tough economy. New york state is by no means alone. This will hurt every single one of her states and ripple your role whole Transportation Sys
Now a Senate Panel Examines the federal Highway Trust Fund which is expected to run out of money in august of this year. Chamber of commerce ceo Thomas Donohue told congress to gradually increase the gas tax to cover the shortage. Aflcio president Richard Trumka testified at this hour and 45 minute Public Works Committee hearing. Good morning everybody. Its so good to see you all here. This is such an important issue that we are discussing today. We are focusing on the maintaining federal funding for transportation, maintaining federal funding. That is what is at stake here for transportation. Ensuring the longterm solvency of the Highway Trust Fund and averting a major crisis later this year. We will hear from our witnesses who are National Leaders representing businesses, states and workers who build, maintain and utilize our Transportation System. I am so pleased to once again welcome tom donohue from the u. S. Chamber and richard sub one from the aflcio. I at least feel when they a
The armed forces and the press. After canadian Prime Minister Steven Harper announced the canadian aircraft and personnel would be taking part in the Coalition Air campaign against isis militants in iraq, the Defense Department subsequently announced new restrictions on how the media would be allowed to cover Canadian Military personnel deploying to that fight. This is how a clearly frustrated toronto Sun Newspaper wrote up the new media restrictions. This is that article from the sun. They explained for the first time although they, as the press, were being allowed to show that there were some canadian troops leaving to go fight isis in iraq, the new restrictions on them included news photographers not being allowed to show any of the soldiers faces too closely and News Reporters and photographers not being allowed to reveal the names of any of the men and women who were being deployed to iraq. The Defense Department also banned the Canadian Media from interviewing any members of thos