(The following appeared on The Journal of Commerce website on March 3, 2011.)
WASHINGTON, D.C. — The House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee will begin late this month to write its next six-year surface transportation legislation, said Chairman John Mica, R-Fla.
Mica said he wants it to be “a multi-modal bill,” not just targeted at highway programs, because “we’ve got to improve all of the elements of infrastructure.”
He did not estimate how large the next bill will need to be, but said Congress should be done with it before the next budget year begins in October. He insisted that it be for a full six years and said he would oppose any talk of a shorter term. Later on Wednesday, Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood repeated his view that a final bill would be on President Obama’s desk before Congress breaks for an August recess.
The full story appears at www.joc.com.