Tag: Infrastructure

Debt Bill Provides Construction Permitting Reforms

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by LICA-National

The Debt Bill includes provisions supported by the construction industry to expedite the federal permitting process. The Associated General Contractors of America’s chief executive officer, Stephen E. Sandherr, issued the following statement:

“The debt limit deal announced over the weekend includes significant reforms to a federal permitting process that has, until now, been one of the main impediments to progress on many vital infrastructure projects. These reforms will reduce the time it takes to complete environmental reviews without weakening any of the strong protections built into the process.


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Lots of Infrastructure Talk Over Dinner

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by LICA-National

National LICA’s Nick Yaksich (3rd from right) joined Audrey Copeland, CEO of the National Asphalt Pavement Association (NAPA), and other industry colleagues in a retirement dinner for NAPA’s lobbyist, Jay Hansen. This group started their careers on Capitol Hill more than forty years ago and has seen the highs and lows of infrastructure investment for improvements in our nation’s transportation system.

Infrastructure Focus: U.S. Dams

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by LICA-National

There are over 91,000 dams in the country that serve many purposes. Dams are classified by hazard potential. A high-hazard-potential rating does not imply that a dam has an increased risk for failure; it simply means that if failure were to occur, the resulting consequences would likely be a direct loss of human life and extensive property damage. Over the last 20 years, the number of high-hazard-potential dams has more than doubled as development steadily encroaches on once-rural dams and reservoirs. Although the number of high-hazard-potential dams has increased, the overall percentage of these dams protected by an Emergency Action Plan has increased as well. As of 2018, 81% of such dams had a plan on file, up 5% from 2015.


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Money Flows but the Nation’s Infrastructure Needs Grow

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by LICA-National
Despite priority emphasis by the current and past Administrations and a record investment last year, the nation’s infrastructure needs are well documented and continue to grow. “Infrastructure” traditionally has been thought of as roads and bridges but now includes water projects, broadband, airports, etc.


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Senate Approves Historic Infrastructure Bill

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by LICA-National

While the political maneuvering continues in the House, industry and business groups reacted favorably to a massive, comprehensive, bipartisan highway, transit, water, broadband construction bill. Here’s some reaction: American Farm Bureau Federation President Zippy Duvall on the Senate passage of the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act.


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Infrastructure Bill – Go or No Go?

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by LICA-National
While there is a reported agreement by a bipartisan group of senators to the framework of increased spending on core infrastructure programs, the political jockeying continues. Republicans question how the increased spending will be paid for – definitively not with any kind of gas tax increase – in addition to what commitments are being made to then consider a massive government funded bill that would not require bipartisan support. Progressive Democrats have concerns also about how the bill would be paid for – definitely not by increasing the corporate tax rate -- and argue that it doesn’t do enough for climate change and other social issues they want addressed.

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Comprehensive Infrastructure Plan Fizzles Prior to July 4th Deadline

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by LICA-National
The one policy area where both sides agree investment – both public and private -- should be made is in infrastructure. President Biden offered a far reaching, comprehensive, ambitious proposal earlier this year only to have a slimmed down, less expensive Republican counteroffer. The good news within Washington is for the first time in years, serious bipartisan meetings were held to see if some kind of agreement could be reached. The bad news is when it comes to how to pay for increased investment, the ideological divide between the two parties rules the days and the infrastructure talks stall. It is expected that today will be the announced end to bipartisan infrastructure talks. It remains to be seen if the Biden Administration can rally support to move on or move away from one of his early stated priorities: significant comprehensive infrastructure investment. Stay tuned.

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Optimism as Infrastructure Bills Take Shape

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by LICA-National
Enjoying the opportunity to meet informally face to face with highway industry lobbyists, the general discussion was optimistic that some form of infrastructure legislation will be passed this year. Republicans leadership on key committees are participating in drafting smaller, more targeted bills aimed at traditional infrastructure projects such as highway and bridges.

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