Reps Pelosi, Lieu Tout “Grow” Transportation Bill

Date:

U.S. Representative Nancy Pelosi speaking on federal transportation funding at this morning's event. Photo: Joe Linton/Streetsblog L.A.
U.S. Representative Nancy Pelosi speaking on federal transportation funding at this morning’s event. Photo: Joe Linton/Streetsblog L.A.

Elected officials, labor leaders, and Metro’s CEO assembled this morning to call on Congress to pass a long-term transportation bill. In order to highlight the ways that transportation infrastructure funding benefits communities, the press event showcased the bluff top construction site for the city of Santa Monica’s California Incline retrofit project.

House Minorty Leader Representative Nancy Pelosi, Representative Ted Lieu, L.A. County Supervisor Sheila Kuehl, Santa Monica Mayor Kevin McKeown, AFL CIO Executive Secretary Rusty Hicks, ‎Building and Construction Trades Council President Ron Miller, and Metro CEO Phil Washington all expressed support for the Grow America Act.

Many Americans think that gas taxes cover the costs of transportation infrastructure. In truth, gas taxes have not kept up with inflation. For many years, transportation-dedicated revenue has fallen way short of transportation expenditures.

This has resulted in ongoing debates over how to pay for transportation infrastructure. The Grow America Act is President Obama’s proposal, favored by Democrats. Grow America would pay for six years of federal transportation funding by closing loopholes that allow American corporations to skirt taxes on overseas profits. Republicans are less interested in trimming corporate profits, and more inclined to fund transportation by trimming pensions. Today, Pelosi characterized the plan to trim pension funding as “a non-starter” and, in response to questions, expressed her support for raising the gas tax, though that too is likely a non-starter.

Though Lieu and Pelosi are pressing for the 6-year Grow America Act, this week the House of Representatives passed its stopgap 5-month measure that keeps federal transportation funds solvent through December 2015. Senate committees are hammering out their likely-longer-term versions.

CEO Washington and Mayor McKeown stressed that short term funding is not enough for local cities and agencies that actually plan and build multi-year projects, such as subways. Metro’s CEO compared transportation infrastructure to a “three-legged stool” supported by local taxes, private investment, and federal monies. Washington asserted that the first two legs are solid, especially with numerous local transportation taxes successfully passed by voters. Washington went on to characterize federal funding as the “wobbly and weak” leg of the stool. Washington concluded his remarks calling on Congress to fund “nation building” here in the United States.

To follow the convoluted politics of federal transportation reauthorization, read the extensive coverage at Streetsblog USA.

Joe Linton
Joe Lintonhttp://la.streetsblog.org
Joe Linton is editor of Los Angeles Streetsblog. He is also a longtime urban environmental activist. His main areas of interest have been restoring the Los Angeles River and fostering bicycling for everyday transportation. He’s worked for many Los Angeles livability non-profits, including Friends of the L.A. River, Los Angeles County Bicycle Coalition, C.I.C.L.E., Livable Places, and CicLAvia. He also served as deputy to Los Angeles City Councilmember Ed Reyes.

195 COMMENTS

Share post:

More like this
Related

Council Majority Makes Symbolic Vote to Try and Persuade Voters to Vote for Measures K and PSK

At this week’s City Council meeting, the Council held...

Letters to the Editor: A Damning Statement from Oscar de la Torre

The following letter to the editor by SMMUSD School...

Santa Monica DOT Will Provide Updates on Projects at Zoom w/Spoke Next Wed.

SaMoDOT Mobility Staff will present updates on bike and...

OPA Update 10/10/24: Details for Monday OPA Meeting, Airport Conversion Survey, & Things To Do This Weekend

OPA Oct. 14 Monthly Meeting Monday: This month's meeting will be at the 2601 Main...