{"id":373,"date":"2009-02-10T19:15:43","date_gmt":"2009-02-11T00:15:43","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.pbs.org\/wnet\/blueprintamerica\/?p=373"},"modified":"2010-12-13T11:10:11","modified_gmt":"2010-12-13T16:10:11","slug":"the-dig-infrastructure-of-the-stimulus-plan-senate-vs-house-spending-on-transportation","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.pbs.org\/wnet\/blueprintamerica\/reports\/by-program\/the-newshour-with-jim-lehrer\/the-dig-infrastructure-of-the-stimulus-plan-senate-vs-house-spending-on-transportation\/373\/","title":{"rendered":"[REPORT] Infrastructure of the stimulus plan: Senate vs. House spending on transportation"},"content":{"rendered":"

Tom McNamara, Blueprint America<\/em><\/p>\n

As the recovery plan was debated in Congress, the House and Senate had seemingly similar but, at the same time, different ideas on how stimulus money should fund transportation projects.<\/p>\n

In the Senate<\/a>: $46 billion for transportation projects, including $27 billion for highway and bridge construction and repair and $11.5 billion for mass transit and rail projects.<\/p>\n

In the House<\/a>: $47 billion for transportation projects, including $27 billion for highway and bridge construction and repair and $12 billion for mass transit, including $7.5 billion to buy transit equipment such as buses; $12.4 billion in rail and mass transit projects.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
\n

Issue<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

Senate Bill<\/strong><\/p>\n

(passed Senate 2\/10\/09)<\/td>\n

\n

House Bill<\/strong><\/p>\n

(passed House 1\/28\/09)<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

Funding Levels<\/strong><\/td>\n\n

<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

Total Transportation Funding<\/td>\n\n

$45,470,000,000<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

$46,120,000,000<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

Total Transit Funding<\/td>\n\n

$8,400,000,000<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

$12,000,000,000<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

Transit Funding Breakdown<\/td>\nUrbanized Area Formula Grants (5307)\u00a0 –\u00a0 $5.96 billion (71%)<\/p>\n

Rural Area Formula Grants (5311) – $840 million (10%)<\/p>\n

Growing States and High Density Formula Grants (5340) – $1.6 billion (19%)<\/td>\n

Urbanized Area Formula Grants (5307) – $6.75 billion<\/p>\n

Rural Area Formula Grants (5311) – $750 million<\/p>\n

Fixed Guideway Modernization (Rail Mod) – $2 billion<\/p>\n

Capital Investment Grants (New Starts) – $2.5 billion<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

Total Highway Funding<\/td>\n\n

$27,060,000<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

$30,000,000<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

Highway Funding Breakdown<\/p>\n

(Suballocation)<\/td>\n

\n
    \n
  • Funds distributed through STP program<\/li>\n
  • 40% of funds will be suballocated to urbanized areas, and are eligible for transit<\/li>\n
  • 5% of funds reserved for CMAQ, and eligible for transit<\/li>\n
  • $60 million for waterborne transit-<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/td>\n
\n
    \n
  • Funds distributed through STP program<\/li>\n
  • 45% of funds will be suballocated to urbanized areas, and are eligible for transit<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Total Intercity and High Speed Rail Funding<\/td>\n\n

$3,100,000,000<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

$1,100,000,000<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

Intercity and High Speed Rail Funding Breakdown<\/td>\nAmtrak – $850 million<\/p>\n

Intercity Passenger Rail Grant<\/p>\n

Program – $250 million<\/p>\n

High Speed Rail Corridor Investments – $2 billion <\/strong><\/td>\n

Amtrak –\u00a0 $800 million<\/p>\n

Intercity Passenger Rail Program* – $300 million<\/p>\n

(Priority given to High Speed Rail projects)<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

Supplemental Discretionary Grants for a National Transportation System Program<\/p>\n

(Multi-Modal)<\/td>\n

\n

$5,500,000,000<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

No Provision<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

Transit Program Details<\/strong><\/td>\n <\/strong><\/td>\n\n

<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

Urbanized Area, Rural Area and Growing States and High Density States Formula Grant Programs (5307, 5311, 5340)<\/td>\n\n
    \n
  • Urbanized Area Formula Grants (5307)\u00a0 –\u00a0 $5.96 billion<\/li>\n
  • Rural Area Formula Grants (5311) – $840 million<\/li>\n
  • Growing States and High Density Formula Grants (5340) – $1.6 billion<\/li>\n
  • $200,000,000 Set aside for discretionary grants to \u201cto public transportation agencies for capital investments to reduce energy consumption or greenhouse gas emissions;<\/li>\n
  • Small Transit Intensive Cities formula not used in 5307 apportionments<\/li>\n
  • 50% of funds must be obligated within 180 days;<\/li>\n
  • Remaining 50% must be obligated within 1 year;<\/li>\n
  • \u201cUse it or lose it provision\u201d –\u00a0 First 50% of funds not obligated within 180days redistributed to recipients who have successfully obligated their apportionment; second 50% not obligated within 1 year redistributed to \u201cSupplemental Discretionary Grants for a National Transportation System Program\u201d<\/li>\n
  • 100% federal share<\/li>\n
  • funds shall be apportioned by FTA \u201cas soon as possible\u201d<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/td>\n
\n
    \n
  • Urbanized Area Formula Grants (5307) – $6.75 billion<\/li>\n
  • Rural Area Formula Grants (5311) – $750 million<\/li>\n
  • Growing States and High Density Formula Grants (5340) – $0<\/li>\n
  • Small Transit Intensive Cities formula not used in 5307 apportionments<\/li>\n
  • 50% of funds must be obligated within 90 days; remaining 50% must be obligated within 2 years<\/li>\n
  • \u201cUse it or lose it provision\u201d \u2013 DOT shall redistribute funds not obligated within the specified time periods to other recipients eligible under the programs to use in a \u201ctimely manner\u201d<\/li>\n
  • 100% federal share<\/li>\n
  • FTA required to apportion funds within 7 days of enactment<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Fixed Guideway Modernization Program (Rail-Mod)<\/td>\nNo provision.<\/td>\n\n
    \n
  • $2 billion provided<\/li>\n
  • 50% of funds must be obligated within 90 days; remaining 50% must be obligated within 2 years<\/li>\n
  • \u201cUse it or lose it provision\u201d \u2013 DOT shall redistribute funds not obligated within the specified time periods to other recipients eligible under the programs to use in a \u201ctimely manner\u201d<\/li>\n
  • 100% federal share<\/li>\n
  • FTA required to apportion funds within 7 days of enactment;<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Capital Investment Grants<\/p>\n

(New Starts Program)<\/td>\n

No Provision.<\/td>\n\n
    \n
  • $2.5 billion provided<\/li>\n
  • discretionary grants competitively awarded by DOT<\/li>\n
  • priority shall be given to projects that are currently in construction or are able to award contracts based on bids
    \nwithin 90 days of enactment (FFGAs)<\/li>\n
  • 50% of funds must be spent (contracts or binding commitments) by grantee within 90 days of award or be redistributed by DOT<\/li>\n
  • current matching requirements remain<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Supplemental Discretionary Grants for a National Transportation System Program<\/td>\n\n
    \n
  • $5.5 billion provided for discretionary grants to states and local governments for the following eligible projects:Highway and bridge projects, including interstate rehabilitation,\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 improvements to rural collector road system, reconstruction of overpasses and interchanges, bridge replacements, and seismic retrofit projects for bridges and road realignments;Public transportation projects including New Starts and Small Starts projects;Passenger and freight rail improvements and port infrastructure improvements.<\/li>\n
  • Grants range from $20,000,000 to $500,000,000;<\/li>\n
  • 100% federal share;<\/li>\n
  • projects must be completed within 3 years<\/li>\n
  • funds must be distributed equitably among geographic regions and urban and rural areas<\/li>\n
  • -Secretary must issue grant criteria within 75 days of enactment;-applications must be submitted within 180 days of enactment;<\/li>\n
  • -projects must be awarded within 1 year of enactment;<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/td>\n
No provision.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Rail Program Details<\/strong><\/td>\n<\/td>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Amtrak<\/td>\n\n
    \n
  • $850 million for Amtrak Capital Improvements<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/td>\n
\n
    \n
  • $800 million for Amtrak Capital Improvements<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Intercity Passenger Rail Grants<\/td>\n\n
    \n
  • $250 million for Intercity Passenger Rail grants<\/li>\n
  • funds distributed under the Sec. 24401 Intercity Passenger Rail Grant program<\/li>\n
  • 100% federal share<\/li>\n
  • projects must be in STIP at time of application<\/li>\n
  • priority given to projects that can be completed within 2 years and increase safety and reliability of intercity passenger trains.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/td>\n
\n
    \n
  • $300 million for Intercity Passenger Rail grants;<\/li>\n
  • funds distributed under the Sec. 24401 Intercity Passenger Rail Grant program;<\/li>\n
  • preference given to projects that can be awarded within 180 days of enactment;<\/li>\n
  • preference given to FTRA compliant rolling stock;<\/li>\n
  • preference given to projects that promote High Speed Rail<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
High Speed Rail Corridor Program<\/td>\n\n
    \n
  • $2 billion provided for discretionary grants for capital projects in designated high speed rail corridors;<\/li>\n
  • grants distributed under the High Speed Rail program (Sec. 26106)<\/li>\n
  • grants must be awarded by September 30, 2011<\/li>\n
  • 100% federal share<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/td>\n
No provision.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Other Issues<\/strong><\/td>\n<\/td>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Maritime Transportation<\/td>\n\n
    \n
  • $60 million in grants under the FHWA\u2019s Ferry Boat Discretionary Program; competitive discretionary grants to be distributed to states for the construction of ferry boats and ferry terminal facilities.<\/li>\n
  • priority given to projects that can be completed within 2 years;<\/li>\n
  • $100 million provided for grants for \u201cassistance to small shipyards,\u201d through the Maritime Administration for capital improvements to small shipyards to improve productivity of nation\u2019s shipbuilding industry<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/td>\n
No provision.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Commuter Tax Benefit<\/td>\n\n
    \n
  • Increases monthly pre-tax commuter transit and vanpool benefits to the same level as provided for pre-tax parking benefits, up from $120 to $230 per month.<\/li>\n
  • Provision effectiveness to coincide with enactment.<\/li>\n
  • Sunsets December 31, 2010.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/td>\n
No provision.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
High Speed Rail Bonds<\/td>\n\n
    \n
  • Current provision states a project is eligible for tax-exempt bonds only if a project is reasonably expected to operate at a speed in excess of 150 mph.<\/li>\n
  • Chairman\u2019s Modifications alters language to allow projects to be eligible for tax-exempt bonds if a project is reasonably expected to attain a top speed of 150 mph.<\/li>\n
  • Only bonds issued after enactment are eligible.<\/li>\n
  • No sunset provision.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/td>\n
No provision.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Transit Security Grants<\/td>\n\n
    \n
  • $100,000,000 for Public Transportation Security Assistance, Railroad Security Assistance and Amtrak Security Updates;<\/li>\n
  • Funds available until 9\/30\/2010<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/td>\n
No provision.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant Program<\/td>\n\n
    \n
  • $3.5 billion provided for state and local governments to implement transit eligible energy efficiency and conservation programs<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/td>\n
\n