ACEC/CT Update

MetroHartford Alliance Supports Gas Tax Increase and Tolls

The MetroHartford Alliance, the regional chamber of commerce, has issued a policy statement that supports raising the gas tax by 15 cents per gallon over five years and instituting gateway tolls in order to properly fund the state's Special Transportation Fund.

The Special Transportation Fund (STF) is likely to go into the red in the next fiscal year because of declining gas consumption and rising construction costs. The MetroHartford Alliance recognizes that a modern transportation system is required to build a strong economy. Oz Griebel, President of the Alliance, is a long-time supporter of transportation issues, having served on many state-wide transportation strategic planning groups.

ACEC/CT is also supporting proper funding of the STF and is discussing this issue with legislators and administration officials.

Happy Holidays!

Demand for Engineers Recession Proof?

The Wall Street Journal reports that the demand for engineers will continue to be strong in spite of the recession.

Feds Seek Private Partnerships for High Speed Rail

The Chicago Tribune reports that the US Department of Transportation is requesting private firms to express an interest in financing and building high speed rail service along major corridors. Of course, this may be a difficult time for putting together the financing of these projects, but it shows a good willingness to think "outside the box" on financing transportation projects.

Court Upholds Campaign Ban

A federal judge has upheld Connecticut's ban on political contributions by state contractors and lobbyists. (See Hartford Courant story.) The ban resulted from the scandals which forced former Governor Rowland from office.

Companies and their management staff doing business or wishing to do business with the state are prohibited from making political contributions to state-wide office seekers.

Obama's Transportation Secretary

President-elect Barack Obama is poised to nominate Illinois Republican Representative Ray LaHood to be Secretary of Transportation. LaHood would be the first Republican in the new president's cabinet. President Bush nominated Democrat Norman Mineta for the same position.

LaHood has no direct experience in transportation and has never served on the House transportation committee. He is a member of Illinois PRIG and is friendly to labor. The Illinois representative is noted for his bipartisan attitude. That attribute may be the most important consideration for his promotion because his primary mission will be to manage the administration's efforts to reauthorize the surface transportation bill this session.

Municipalities Have $2.1 Billion in Projects Ready for Stimulus

Connecticut Conference of Municipalities reports that their member municipalities have 1,300 projects worth $2.1 billion ready for an infrastructure stimulus package. Government agencies at the federal, state and local levels are assembling lists of projects which could quality for federal assistance in the highly anticipated stimulus package being proposed by Congress and the Obama administration.

Support to put NH to Springfield Rail Service on Fast Track

Legislative leaders, CBIA, environmental groups and transit proponents have called for the proposed transit service between New Haven, Hartford and Springfield, Massachusetts to be put on the fast track. The current plans are to bring the commuter service on line in 2015. The line is currently served by Amtrak service. The rail line would need to be expanded with additional track, trains, stations and parking. Click here for New Haven Register article.

ACEC/CT Stimulus Package Position

ACEC/CT has issued a position paper on the Economic Stimulus Package being proposed by the President-elect. Click here for a copy. Also, check out our 2009 Government Affairs Agenda.

President-Elect Obama Plans Largest Infrastructure Project since WWII

President-Elect Obama is planning the largest infrastructure program since World War II. In his weekly address the President-Elect responded to the largest monthly loss of jobs in 34 years,

"...we will create millions of jobs by making the single largest new investment in our national infrastructure since the creation of the federal highway system in the 1950s. We’ll invest your precious tax dollars in new and smarter ways, and we’ll set a simple rule – use it or lose it. If a state doesn’t act quickly to invest in roads and bridges in their communities, they’ll lose the money."

The stimulus plan will also include retrofitting government buildings with energy efficient HVAC and lighting systems, new schools, internet access and electronic medical records.

His full address can be found here.