R.G. Edmonson, Associate Editor
Jan 31, 2012 10:30PM GMT
The Journal of Commerce Online - News Story
Mica calls bill the “most important legislation to put Americans back to work”
House Transportation and Infrastructure Chairman John Mica heralded the introduction of a five-year, $260 billion surface transportation plan as the “most important legislation to put Americans back to work.”
The Florida Republican said the American Energy and Infrastructure Jobs Act will provide states with a steady funding source so that they can make long-term infrastructure investments. Under the transport plan, the 70 federal highway programs would be eliminated or consolidated, and states would have more freedom in how they spend their federal dollars.
Mica said that $175 billion will come from the Highway Trust Fund, the traditional source of money for highway infrastructure. Some of the funding would come through the expansion of domestic energy production, including the drilling of the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge. The bill also calls for the permitting of the contentious Keystone XL pipeline... FULL ARTICLE
Posted on
Tue, January 31, 2012
by John Cox