The National Conference of State Legislatures (NCSL) recently sent a letter of concern to House leaders with regard to infrastructure funding:
Dear Speaker Johnson and Leaders Thune, Jefferies and Schumer:
The undersigned organizations request Congress to honor the Highway Trust Fund obligation limitation for FY 2025 contained in the most recent surface transportation program reauthorization. We are especially thankful for the FY 2025 Transportation, Housing and Urban Development Appropriations measures approved by the House and Senate appropriations committees that would, if enacted, provide $61.314 billion in obligation limitation for highway programs and $15.579 billion for transit programs.
Infrastructure investments are long-term endeavors that require both resources and certainty, and we appreciate that members of both parties have routinely recognized this reality by approving five year investment and policy measures that provide the federal investment platform for projects that drive economic growth and personal mobility in every state and congressional district. By contrast, any reduction from planned funding levels will disrupt state and local government implementation of long-term transportation plans and private sector efforts to ensure the equipment, materials and personnel necessary for infrastructure improvements are in place.
The U.S. surface transportation network is the circulatory system that enables the movement of people and products essential for prosperity and quality of life. As such, the undersigned organizations urge that any final FY 2025 funding package provide the obligation limitation for highway and public transportation consistent with what Congress provided for this fiscal year under the current surface transportation authorization.
The letter was co-signed by a number of associations, including the National Stone, Sand & Gravel Association.