The American Concrete Pavement Association (ACPA) applauds the leadership, tenacity and determination of U.S. Senate Environment and Public Works Chairman Barbara Boxer (D-Calif.), U.S. House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee Chairman John L. Mica (R-Fla.-07) and the bicameral conferees involved in reaching an accord on the transportation bill.
ACPA wholly supports Chairman Mica’s view that “This is the jobs bill for the 112th Congress.” ACPA is also very pleased that the tentative agreement maintains programs at current funding levels through the end of fiscal year 2014.
The measure focuses on unprecedented reforms by cutting red tape and consolidating federal transportation programs, according to prepared statement by Chairman Mica, who also said the bill does not include earmarks and does not increase taxes.
ACPA also applauds Chairman Boxer for recognizing the role of this legislation in creating an estimated 3 million jobs, as well as for linking the current bill back to the original highway bill passed in the Senate in June 1956.
“Although we recognize the bill still must be approved by both the House and Senate, and of course, must be signed into law, we are encouraged by the scope and scale of the bill,” says ACPA President and CEO Gerald F. Voigt, P.E. “We are cautiously optimistic and will continue to advocate vociferously for quick passage of the bill, and of course, for the President to sign the bill into law without delay or reservation.”