Republicans Unveil Swift Changes To Transportation Policy

NEWARK, N.J., Jan. 17, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Republicans wasted no time in asserting their new House majority, adding complexity to Highway Trust Fund allocation procedures at the beginning of the year and kicking off a larger battle over the future of infrastructure funding. An exclusive Journal of Commerce interview with Rep. John Mica, R-Fla., the new chairman of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, outlines his sweeping plans to reinvigorate the system with increased investment, smarter use of the current infrastructure footprint and a new multiyear surface transportation bill based on public input.  

(Photo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20110117/NY31153 )

"I hope to have a whole list of new financing ideas and how we can cut some of the red tape, learning from people first-hand and also educating members of the committee," he said. For now, however, Mica says he has assurances from House leadership that there would be no drastic changes in highway spending.

This week's Journal of Commerce Cover Story, written by Washington reporter R.G. Edmonson, analyzes the new rules' impact on both long-term projects expecting revenue from motor fuel taxes and a broader power shift that could institute binding budget targets resembling 2008 levels.

"We are in a real pickle nationally. We're at the tipping point where if we don't get revenues up or expenses down, there's no future," said Mortimer Downey, senior advisor, Parsons Brinckerhoff and deputy transportation secretary in the Clinton administration.

The Journal of Commerce will host a Webcast on this topic – Washington's Road Ahead: Transportation Policy and Legislation Under a New Congress -- Friday, Jan. 21 at 2:00 p.m. EST. Visit www.joc.com/webcasts for more information, to register for the live event or view on-demand.

To view daily news visit www.joc.com. For all media enquires, including article reprints, please contact Editorial Director Paul Page.

Since 1827, The Journal of Commerce has been the most trusted source of intelligence for international logistics executives to help them plan global supply chains and better manage day-to-day transportation of goods and commodities in the United States and internationally.

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About UBM Global Trade - UBM Global Trade is the leading provider of proprietary data, news, business intelligence and analytical content supporting commercial maritime, rail, trucking, warehousing and logistics industries worldwide. The company's portfolio of more than 100 online, print and interactive workflow business solutions includes The Journal of Commerce, Breakbulk, RailResource, PIERS Global Intelligence Solutions and an array of international trade and transportation databases and directories. UBM Global Trade, a subsidiary of United Business Media Limited, is headquartered in Newark, NJ, with offices throughout the United States. For more information, explore www.ubmglobaltrade.com or call 800-952-3839 (+1-973-776-8660 outside the U.S. or Canada).

CONTACT:  Paul Page, The Journal of Commerce, Editorial Director, +1-202-355-1170, [email protected].

SOURCE The Journal of Commerce

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