Congresswoman Corrine Brown Works to Increase Desperately Needed Funding for Transportation and Infrastructure

Washington, DC – April 17, 2015 – (RealEstateRama) — Congresswoman Corrine Brown made the following statement:

“Transportation programs are too critical to our economy to be delayed any longer. Indisputably, getting a Surface Transportation Reauthorization bill done on time and with a substantive funding source will boost our economy, and contribute to fixing our aging bridges, roads, highways, and the operation of our transit systems.

Unfortunately, Congress is already well behind in preparing for surface reauthorization, and has serious work to do in deciding how to adequately fund the transportation in the future. In reality, the six year Transportation funding bill should have been finished and re- authorized last September. And in all likelihood, the authorization, which will expire at the end of May, will only be extended at current funding levels since there is still disagreement on way in which we will move ahead to fund our infrastructure system.

Unfortunately, this Congress clearly is not making transportation a priority, and our country’s infrastructure is suffering as a result. Indeed, the United States is failing to keep pace with our international competitors who are investing heavily in infrastructure (particularly rail infrastructure), to move people, goods, and services. Certainly, it is necessary to be as efficient as possible through improved technology and innovation, but it will take a significant financial investment in our nation’s infrastructure to truly solve the numerous problems, such as congestion and outright decay, that we currently face. I also strongly believe we need a rail and freight title to address long standing issues like Positive Train Control, Grade Crossing Safety, and rapidly increasing passenger and freight movement throughout the country.

Transportation and Infrastructure funding is absolutely critical to the nation, and if properly funded, serves as a tremendous economic boost and job creator. In fact, Department of Transportation (DOT) statistics show that for every $1 billion invested in transportation infrastructure, 44,000 jobs are created, as is $6.2 billion in economic activity. For that reason and numerous others already mentioned, the Transportation & Infrastructure Committee needs to immediately begin serious work on the Surface Transportation Reauthorization bill. During these negotiations, I plan to advocate for not only a long term bill, but one with a dedicated funding source for all modes of transportation so we are not immobilized in another six years by members of Congress who do not deem our transportation and infrastructure system as essential to creating jobs, boosting our economy and moving the traveling public forward more efficiently.”